A gallery is an establishment that showcases the works of one or more artists. The art work displayed in the gallery is usually for sale and the revenue generated from sales goes to the artist. Galleries are often privately owned and operated but some public museums also have galleries that display their collections.
Many art lovers and collectors enjoy visiting a variety of different galleries and seeing the diverse array of artwork on offer. Some galleries may focus on a specific art genre or a particular time period. Others might have a more general approach to the gallery’s collection and exhibitions, or they might be dedicated to certain regions of the world.
Commercial galleries have a special relationship with artists, in that the gallery agrees to represent them. This means that the gallery will do everything possible to promote and sell their work, and the artist in turn agrees to give the gallery a share of the profit from sales. This arrangement gives the gallery a financial incentive to do its best for the artists that it represents, as their success reflects well on the gallery and can lead to more opportunities for them in the future.
While the gallery does most of the sales and marketing for its artists, it also acts as their agent and handles their logistics, such as preparing and shipping works to clients, invoicing, monitoring the value of their artworks on the secondary market, and much more. This work is complex and requires a great deal of attention and planning, but it also helps artists develop their reputations, build a collector base, and improve the quality of their works.
Another important function of the gallery is that it tries to get its artists’ artworks into other public or private collections, including museums, biennials, and salons. This is done by collaborating with the artist and presenting their work for consideration by curators and directors of these institutions. It is a very competitive and challenging process, but it can be highly rewarding for the right artist and can significantly increase the value of an artwork over time.
Finally, art galleries often host events or openings, sometimes called vernissages, to mark the opening of a new show. These are a fun way for people to discover new work and connect with the artist and other art enthusiasts. They can also be a good way for a museum to build its audience and encourage visitors to return.