An art gallery is a space that exhibits various works of visual arts. A gallery serves as the link between artists and the art world (read our article on the difference between a museum and an art gallery here). Unlike museums, which may often collaborate with a wide variety of artists, galleries tend to specialize in promoting and selling artworks from a particular art genre or style such as modernist artwork, or antiquities.
The mission of an art gallery is to nurture and promote visual artists, expose their work to the public, collectors, media and cultural institutions. A gallery is also responsible for the management and care of a collection of artworks. This is an enormous task that requires an investment in time and money. The gallery must secure exhibition space, pay for insurance and other overhead costs, hire a curator and administrative staff, design and produce a catalogue of artworks, participate in art fairs and other art events, invest in marketing and publicity, and much more.
When you visit an art gallery, it is always good to keep in mind that different galleries have their own unique visions and missions that make them stand out from one another. It is important to understand this if you are looking to get your work displayed in a specific gallery.
It is also a good idea to ask the gallery owners or supervisors about the prices of the artworks that are on display. They are usually more than happy to provide additional assistance, and you will find that they are well informed about each of the works on display. Generally speaking, the prices of artworks are established on the basis of the artist’s CV and his or her position in the professional art market.
Art galleries are great places to meet like-minded people that share a love for art. In addition, they are a fantastic place to expand your knowledge of the art world and try new types of artwork that you might not be familiar with. Visiting an art gallery is one of life’s simple pleasures that can actually improve your mood and reduce stress levels.
In addition to offering art for sale, art galleries also frequently organize programs such as art workshops and lectures that can teach you how to paint or draw like a certain artist. They may also host a series of art exhibitions that are open to the public for a short period of time. This practice is called popup galleries and is increasingly becoming a popular form of presenting artworks in urban settings. The vogue for participatory engagement marks a shift in the desired atmosphere of art spaces from a reified gallery environment to an urban living room. This is in line with strategies of city place making that fuse cultural and commercial urban economies.