An art gallery is a place that exhibits and sells works of art. The art in these galleries can be a painting, sculpture, or other type of artwork. Art galleries are usually located in places that are considered to be culturally important, such as museums or historical buildings.
Many art galleries have websites where people can view the work that they are exhibiting. Some of these websites also have information about the artist and their background. The website may also have an area where people can leave comments about the art. Some art galleries are free to visit, while others have a fee to enter. The cost of visiting an art gallery is often dependent on the type of art that is being exhibited.
Getting a gallery to show your work can be one of the most difficult things to do as an artist. Galleries want to work with artists that have talent and professionalism. They will typically look at your social media, blog, and ask other gallery professionals for references before inviting you to an exhibition. If they invite you to an exhibition then they will take care of the transportation, insurance, supervision, installation, print work, and invitations for opening and promotion. In return, they will get a percentage of the sales from the work that is sold.
Most galleries are not in the business of just selling art, but rather helping launch the careers of artists. They work closely with the artists that they represent, collaborating on a wide range of projects, including exhibitions and other promotional activities. Gallerists must have extensive knowledge of art history in order to be able to help their clients select the best works to buy. They also need to understand the market so that they can price artworks accurately and not over or undervalue them.
Galleries can collaborate with both living artists and with artist estates. A lot of their work is with living artists, as this allows them to keep a finger on the pulse of what is happening in the art world. They can also be active in the primary market, where they purchase artworks directly from an artist, or the secondary market, where they buy artworks from other dealers, collectors, or at auction and then sell them on again.
Gallery staff are also responsible for providing access to art to people from all walks of life. This includes groups with disabilities, ageing or elderly visitors, and those for whom English is not their first language. They can do this by providing a range of support tools, such as audio tours, translated exhibition leaflets, and interpreted room sheets. They can also make a space more welcoming by offering seating and extra lighting where possible, as well as by creating guided tours for different audiences. In addition, they can provide large print text and portable information sheets for visually impaired visitors. In the future, they may even start to provide virtual experiences for those with sensory disabilities.