An art gallery is a place where people go to look at and think about artworks. It may display works from a specific period or genre, such as modernist paintings or classical sculptures, or it may have a wider range of work. Many galleries also offer education and outreach activities for the public, and run a cafe or other space where people can relax with a coffee and chat.
When artists decide to collaborate with art galleries, they sign a contract that commits them to showcasing, promoting and selling their work. This helps them to make a living and build up their collector base and artist resume. In return, the gallery takes a commission on each sale and acts as their dealer, taking care of everything from transporting and invoicing to keeping track of sold artworks on the secondary market and arranging exhibitions for them.
A good gallery will also arrange to have their artists’ works included in other art collections, including public museums and cultural institutions, private galleries, biennials and salons, to help them build their reputation and increase the value of their work. This will cost the gallery money in terms of organising and funding these events, but it can be an important way to promote their artists and generate new income streams.
Often, art galleries provide free entry and will have knowledgeable staff available to answer questions. However, they will often charge for admission to temporary exhibitions. This is because they need to cover the costs of putting on a show and running their business, which can be very expensive.
The best way to get the most out of a visit to an art gallery is to plan ahead. This will help avoid feeling overwhelmed by the number of artworks and allow visitors to make clear decisions about which works they want to see and enjoy. It is also a good idea to bring a notebook or notepad so that you can take notes as you walk around the gallery, and write down your thoughts and reactions to particular artworks.
Many galleries will provide guided tours, which can be a lively way to gain an overview of the displays and follow a theme. Other galleries may have activity trails with colouring pencils or stickers to fuel children’s creative responses to artworks. And if you have a smartphone, downloading an app like Art UK will enable you to explore a venue’s collection before you arrive.
Whether or not you find a piece of art compelling, moving or beautiful, a gallery experience is still a valuable opportunity to learn about the history and practice of creating and exhibiting art. By thinking about the issues, ideas and emotions reflected in a work of art, you can develop your own understanding of what makes it work or not. This process will also help you to form your own opinions about the work, and how it connects with other art, culture and society at large.