An art gallery is a place where artists show their works to the public and sell them. A gallery makes money by charging a percentage of the sales price to the artist. This percentage is usually split 50/50 between the gallery and the artist. A gallery can also buy artworks from collectors and resell them at a higher price. In the beginning stages, a gallery may have to spend a lot of money in order to build its reputation and attract clients. Once it is established, the gallery will be able to make more money through commissions and sales.
The artists that galleries represent are carefully selected. These collaborations are often long-term, and the gallery becomes a link between the artist’s studio and the art market. Artists that are represented by a gallery for a longer period of time are called represented artists, while those who collaborate with the gallery on a one-time basis for specific exhibitions are referred to as exhibited artists.
Gallery staff members help artists to develop their artistic practice and create a portfolio of artworks for the gallery’s exhibitions. They are also responsible for marketing the artworks, attracting clients and organizing art events. As a result, gallery staff members need to know everything about the contemporary art market in order to promote their clients’ work effectively.
An artist’s career depends on the quality of the works they produce. They must not only be talented but also professional and trustworthy. This is why gallery professionals observe their behavior in social media, read what they write on their blog and ask other people who know them for references.
If a gallery wants to represent a particular artist, the staff members must carefully study their portfolio and determine whether the work would fit in with the rest of the exhibitions that are planned. If it does, the gallery will invite the artist for an interview.
The most important task of the gallery is to provide the best possible service for its clients. This includes educating them on the art market, helping them to understand and appreciate the artworks, and offering advice to help them start and grow their collections. In addition, galleries should take care of the logistics involved in shipping artworks and making sure that they are insured properly.
The gallery’s creaky floors pair well with many of the exhibitions it displays. For example, a 2016 show by the Seattle-based artist Milrany featured puppets, some disconcerting (a fly hanging from a light fixture, a man with his head in what appeared to be a noose) and others more whimsical.