While most of us know what an art museum is and what they do, there is less awareness of what a gallery is and the role they play in the art world. An art gallery is a commercial enterprise that works with a portfolio of artists, representing them by selling and distributing their artworks. It also curates and displays their work for exhibition. It has a variety of other responsibilities including promoting, marketing and building their artists’ careers.
For the artist, a gallery can be an invaluable resource for their career. In exchange for a percentage of the sale price, they take care of everything from the invoicing and record keeping to shipping and insurance coverage. Generally, the more established galleries will cover all transportation costs from the artist’s studio to their gallery and back again.
The role of a gallery can be very different depending on the type of establishment and the artists it represents. Some are highly specialized, such as those that only exhibit contemporary photography or sculpture. Others are more general and seek to promote a diverse group of artists. Getting into an art gallery is a big deal for most artists, but it is not always easy to do. The gallery selection process is rigorous and requires a large portfolio of high-quality work. It is also helpful for artists to have a well-developed network of connections with other gallery owners and curators.
When submitting art to galleries, be sure to research each one thoroughly and learn about the directors, curators, and owners. Familiarize yourself with their past and current exhibitions, and make sure that your art is in keeping with the themes, styles, and media that they tend to display. Generally speaking, it’s better to target smaller galleries that are more likely to be interested in your work and are more apt to accept submissions from new artists.
Once you have secured gallery representation, it is important to actively promote your work and the gallery to which you are attached. This can be done through social media, online promotions, and by proactively attending events at the gallery. This will help you build a rapport with the owner and staff of the gallery and increase your chances of landing future exhibits.
Another thing that you can do to boost your chances of gaining gallery representation is to have thorough and professional gallery descriptions on the websites of your work. These help viewers understand the images and provide valuable search engine optimization information. It is also a good idea to use descriptive keywords and phrases, rather than simply listing the names of the images. This will help potential buyers find your images on Google. A comprehensive description also helps first-time visitors to the gallery decide whether or not to purchase your work. These are all small things that can go a long way towards making your portfolio stand out in the eyes of gallery owners.