A gallery is a space that exhibits works of art. It is usually privately owned and operated by a group of people. It is the responsibility of the people in charge of a gallery to select and promote their artists, sell the works, and ensure the integrity of the space. In addition, they also organize exhibitions, curate the art in their collection, and provide support to their artists in terms of networking, scouting, and fundraising.
An art gallery is an essential part of the art world. The work of many artists is difficult to reproduce or distribute, and a gallery can make it easier for them to be found and appreciated. Art galleries can also offer a sense of community amongst art collectors. They often hold opening receptions on the first Friday of every month, which gives them a chance to gather with other art enthusiasts and promote their new works.
Art galleries are not only a place to buy and sell artworks, but they can also serve as platforms for new art movements. A gallery’s staff are often experts in their field and can help to connect artists with potential buyers and collectors. Often, they will attend art fairs and conferences to keep up with the latest trends in the industry and make connections for their artists.
A gallerist’s job is to establish a portfolio of artists that the gallery commits to representing, either for long-term collaboration or as a one-time collaboration for a specific exhibition. The former category is referred to as represented artists, and the latter category is referred to as exhibited artists.
Before an artist is accepted by a gallery, they must present a strong body of work, a professional portfolio, and a track record of past exhibitions in respected venues. Moreover, they must have a compelling pitch with a clear idea of the type of work they intend to present. At the same time, they should have a well-defined aesthetic direction that the gallery can relate to.
In addition to selecting and promoting their artists, art galleries also organize in-person and online exhibitions to attract interest from collectors and institutions. To prepare for an exhibition, the gallerist must conduct studio visits with the artists, select and curate their works, craft and distribute press releases, write exhibition texts, and create 3D virtual tours. They also have to organize and produce several live events to introduce the public, press, and collectors to the featured artists and their works.
Many people have the misconception that once they sign with a gallery, their art will be automatically sold. This is not entirely true. A lot of artworks are bought from other galleries, private collections, or at auction – not directly from the artist. This is called the secondary market. Then, the art is displayed in the gallery for a while, and is later sold again at a higher price to make a profit. A good art gallery will carefully manage these relationships in order to maximize the sale of its artists’ works.