A gallery is a room or building in which visual art such as paintings, sculptures and photographs are displayed. It is usually a commercial establishment and is managed by one or more individuals who are responsible for its operation and programming.
A Gallery is an important place for nurturing and promoting visual artists. It is also a bridge between the artist and the professional art world both locally and globally. To accomplish its vast mission, galleries provide exhibition space, manage administrative and curatorial staff, secure insurance, invest in advertising, participate in a myriad of expensive art fairs, build and maintain websites and other digital platforms, as well as organize and host events.
In addition to these responsibilities, galleries are charged with establishing and maintaining the correct value of artworks in the professional art market. This is done by ensuring that the retail price of an artwork is consistent with its CV and position in the marketplace. By collaborating with artists, galleries guarantee that the correct values are established for the work of art in a professional manner.
When submitting artworks to a gallery, it is important for artists to understand that galleries are primarily looking for quality art that fits the gallery’s overall vision and curatorial program. The gallery’s director or curator will determine whether or not the submission is a good fit.
Generally, galleries will only represent and promote artists who have a consistent body of work that fits with their style and approach. In some cases, the gallery will work with artists on a long-term basis to help establish and grow their careers. These artists are known as represented artists, whereas in other cases, the gallery will collaborate with artists for a single exhibition and then discontinue representing them.
In order to gain a foothold in the art market, it is essential for new and emerging artists to participate in small exhibitions that can provide them with exposure and feedback. These exhibitions can be held in places such as local museums, coffee shops or private homes. In addition, the use of social media can be an effective tool for promoting these small exhibitions.
During an exhibition, it is important to keep in mind that the prices of the works featured in the gallery are set by the gallery owner and not the artist. The gallery will often publish a catalog or list including prices for the public to view. If you are curious about the prices of certain pieces, you can ask the gallery owner or supervisor for more information.
It is also a good idea for artists to take their own initiative and promote their gallery exhibitions. This is especially important since the gallery stands to get a 50 percent share of any sales. This can be done by sharing the exhibition on social media, mentioning it in their bio or including it on their website’s About page. In addition, the gallery should provide promotional materials such as postcards and posters for the exhibition to give away to clients.