An art gallery is a business that sells or shows artworks. Some galleries are exclusive to a particular art genre, such as modern or contemporary art. Others are open to all artists and are a place where you can see and purchase a wide variety of works, from sculptures and paintings to prints and photographs. There are also galleries that specialize in a particular artist or style, such as the impressionists or abstract art. The goal of an art gallery is to promote the work of its artists and to increase their market value.
An artist’s portfolio is one of the most valuable assets of any gallery, and a way for them to build relationships with potential clients. Creating a unique and intriguing portfolio is the first step in getting your art shown in a gallery. It is also important to get to know the types of art that a particular gallery specializes in, as this can help you determine which pieces would fit best in their space and attract the most customers.
Many galleries have an art department that is responsible for finding new artists, curating their works and preparing exhibitions. In addition to promoting their own artist roster, galleries also collaborate with other art dealers, auctions and private collectors to bring the art of their clients to the gallery. This is often referred to as the primary market.
When it comes to selling their artists’ works, galleries usually charge a commission on each sale. The amount of this commission is determined by the gallery and is based on various factors, such as the reputation and sales history of the artist and their previous work. The gallery may also charge for exhibition production costs, such as paint, canvases and pedestals.
In addition to the sale of artworks, most galleries host events and open house days to increase their visibility in the community. These events can include lectures, group showings and art workshops. They can be held in their own spaces or outside the gallery. They can be as short as a day or as long as an entire month.
An art gallery’s written description of an artwork should be concise to avoid overwhelming the viewer. It should capture all the necessary information in a small amount of words, raising the chance that the piece will sell. Artwork descriptions should not exceed two paragraphs. Longer descriptions are often boring and hard to understand.
Upon entering an art gallery, visitors are greeted by the gallery owner or supervisor. The supervisor is usually present to assist the public with questions and concerns. In some cases, the supervisor will give the visitor a catalog including prices of the exhibited works. In most instances, however, the price of an artwork is not displayed on the wall. Visitors can request the pricing information from the supervisor or a gallery employee, and they are not required to buy anything if they are interested in the price.