Art galleries are places where people of all walks of life can come to view and purchase works of art. Some are privately owned, some are part of a larger business like a museum, and others are not for profit at all and receive their funding from grants or donations.
When artists come to a gallery with their work, they often expect to be treated with the same respect and level of professionalism that the galleries themselves exhibit. While this is not always the case, most galleries do take a lot into consideration when they make decisions about what artists they choose to represent. This includes things like how well their art is received in the community, whether or not they have a following, and what sort of artistic reputation the artist has accumulated over the years.
The majority of the work that a gallery does involves helping their artists to get established in the professional art world. This is done by promoting the artwork at local and international art fairs, and by looking for other opportunities to showcase the work in their space and outside of it as well. Galleries will also take care of other business related matters for their artists, such as managing or assisting with book publishing, and working with the media to help get their artists more exposure in magazines or online.
For many artists, the goal is to be represented by a gallery because it can help them to grow their audience and sell more work. While this is not the only way for artists to go, it is one of the most popular and effective ways to get their art in front of as many people as possible.
One of the major roles that a gallery plays in their relationship with an artist is to help them to establish their pricing for their work. This is important because it helps to balance the artist’s CV and their position in the professional art market, as well as to ensure that they are receiving a fair compensation for the work that they are creating.
Many galleries will be willing to discuss their pricing for an artist’s work, so don’t be afraid to ask. However, if you are unsure about how much a piece is worth, it is best to seek out the advice of someone who is knowledgeable in the art market.
When describing your art, it is helpful to be clear and straightforward rather than trying to impress the gallery with complicated or academic explanations. This is because galleries want to know that you are approachable and accessible to their clientele. They will also be able to judge how much you are familiar with the history of art and how you can apply this knowledge to your own work.