The variety and number of galleries out there can be daunting. Physically most are variations on the 'white cube' - so from the outside they can be hard to distinguish. But there are important differences behind the scenes, and understanding the basic categories of galleries will help you get started.
(Thankyou to the wonderful Rhiannon Slatter for supplying her photograph to illustrate the header on this article above!).
Sometimes also known as 'vanity' galleries, these are essentially venues for hire. They are not typically curated (though some may be selective in who they show), and make their profits primarily from the rental fees they charge artists to use their space/s. These galleries can be great for putting on first shows, getting practical experience and building an audience. They can also be used for events by artists directly connected with their collectors to avoid losing commissions on sales that commercial galleries charge (more on those below).
Beyond that rental galleries can vary a lot. For example your hire fee may or may not include:
- Trained staff to man the gallery and process sales
(If not you'll have to sit it yourself, or find someone to do so). - Marketing support
- Installation & de-install support
- Opening night food/drinks packages
The gallery may also still charge commissions on art sales or sell alcohol from a licensed bar to further their return etc.
Exhibiting in these galleries does not ostensibly carry 'prestige' in the art world due to their non-selective nature (hence the term 'vanity gallery'), and it is very common for the artist to make a substantial loss while the gallery makes a profit. So it's best to look closely at the level of support they provide and square that with exhibition expenses and sales prospects. For emerging/early career artists it can generally be considered a success even to just cover your costs through sales.
Because it's essentially the artist carrying all the financial risk of exhibiting in this context, a popular option is to share expenses via running a group show, rather than a solo show.
Commercial Galleries
Commercial galleries are businesses that profit directly by commission from the sale of art to buyers. Owners/directors of commercial galleries typically have specific tastes and expertise, and cultivate relationships with collectors interested in their area of the art market. This means they are very selective in whose work they choose to show based on that expertise and market knowledge.
Commercial gallerists typically require their artists to enter into an exclusive relationship of representation, i.e. the gallery becomes the artist's agent through which all sales of that artist's work must pass. Though this may be delineated geographically, or for different series or mediums that an artist works with. For example an artist might have one gallery representing them in Australia and another for Asia. Or indeed one gallerist representing their photography work and another representing their sculpture work. The commission that commercial galleries take is usually around 50%, though like all of the above, it may be negotiable.
In exchange for taking such a high commission on sales, commercial galleries usually make their spaces available to their artists for periodic exhibitions. There should be no out of pocket cost to the artist here other than making the work (as the expenses of gallery rent, lights, staff, food/drinks and promotion is borne by the gallery).Ideally commercial gallerists should also advocate for their artists at events across the art market, offering access to collectors (and thus sales) outside the normal reach of each artist. When operating properly this is a win-win scenario with each party, gallerist and artist, benefiting equally.
Obtaining representation by a reputable gallery is highly sought after by many artists, and there are only so many artists that any one gallery can meaningfully represent. This dynamic generally creates a field where the higher end galleries approach artists and not the other way round. So the preliminary goal for artists wanting commercial representation is to build a profile as an artist (via showing at ARIs and/or rental galleries etc.) while also attending events/networking at relevant commercial galleries so as to become a known prospect to their directors.
FAQs
Galleries can be broadly categorized into several types, each serving distinct roles within the art world.
- Commercial Galleries. These galleries operate primarily as businesses, selling artworks to collectors and the public. ...
- Non-Profit Galleries and Artist-Run Initiatives. ...
- Vanity Galleries. ...
- Online Galleries.
Use clear and simple language to describe the artwork on display, including the style, medium, and techniques used by the artists. Provide context. Explain the inspiration behind the exhibition, the historical or cultural significance of the artwork, or any relevant social or political themes. Use sensory language.
What is the white cube gallery theory? ›
The white cube represents the blank ultimate face of light from which, in the Platonic myth, these elements unspeak- abiy evolve. In such types of thought, primary shapes and geomet- ric abstractions are regarded as alive - in fact, as more intensely alive than anything with a specific content.
What does a gallerist do? ›
A gallerist is an owner or operator of an art gallery. Gallerists buy and sell artworks, and they often focus on higher-end pieces that carry premium prices. Gallerists may also work with curators and art dealers to determine which pieces to show.
What are the three main types of art? ›
The three fine arts of painting, sculpture, and architecture are sometimes also called the “major arts”, with “minor arts” referring to commercial or decorative art styles. Architecture is the only form of fine visual art with a sense of utility or elements of practicality.
What are the 3 sections of art? ›
Realistic, Stylized & Abstract Art
Usually when we talk about types of art, we put it into one of 3 categories: (a) realistic, (b) stylized, (c) abstract. This project is all about taking something recognizable like letters and making a drawing in 3 different styles.
What is in an art gallery? ›
An art gallery is a room or a building in which visual art is displayed. In Western cultures from the mid-15th century, a gallery was any long, narrow covered passage along a wall, first used in the sense of a place for art in the 1590s.
What is a gallery statement? ›
An artist statement is piece of writing by you that helps the audience access or understand your artistic work. It is written in the first person, while artist bios are written in the third person. Both represent you as an artist, even while you are not there.
How do you write a gallery talk? ›
- At some point in your art career, you will be asked to give an artist talk. ...
- Remember, you are the top authority on your artwork. ...
- Construct a Storyline. ...
- Start with some freewriting. ...
- Anticipate questions you might be asked. ...
- Make yourself accessible and be prepared. ...
- Calm your nerves by directing attention towards your work.
The aesthetic was introduced in the early twentieth century in response to the increasing abstraction of modern art. With an emphasis on colour and light, artists from groups like De Stijl and the Bauhaus preferred to exhibit their works against white walls in order to minimise distraction.
In art, the cube is a popular shape used in sculpture, painting, and design. The cube has also played a significant role in culture and history. The ancient Greeks considered the cube to be a symbol of stability and permanence, and they used it in their architecture and art.
What is the Fisk art gallery Theorem? ›
Fisk's proof consists of showing that every simple triangulated polygon can have its vertices colored with exactly 3 colors. In fact, once one colors any triangle, the colors for the remaining vertices of the triangulation are completely determined.
Do art galleries make money? ›
The main source of income for art galleries is the sale of art and the commission taken from each artwork sold. At times though, art sales can be variable whereas the costs associated with running a gallery are fixed; so it's crucial not to put all of your eggs in one basket and find other revenue streams.
Can I sell my art to an art gallery? ›
We know, we know: selling yourself and your art can feel a little strange at first, but this is one skill you definitely need to master. There are many art galleries looking for submissions from all different experience levels, and the resulting sales once you get your work in a gallery can be game-changing.
Do galleries pay artists? ›
The usual arrangement is to pay the artist a commission, which is a pre-arranged percentage of the selling price. So, if the artist wants $1,000 for a piece, it will sell for $2,000. 50% commission rate is fairly common. This amount is set up with all the artists who exhibit at a particular gallery.
What are 2 ways that galleries and museums are different? ›
Museums are considered places of entertainment and education, where different exhibits and curated spaces impart knowledge about the historical significance of an object. Art galleries, on the other hand, are perceived to serve a different purpose, more in tune with the aesthetic of consuming art for pleasure.
What makes a gallery a gallery? ›
The term is used to refer to establishments with distinct social and economic functions, both public and private. Institutions that preserve a permanent collection may be called either "gallery of art" or "museum of art". If the latter, the rooms where art is displayed within the museum building are called galleries.
What is considered a gallery? ›
A gallery is a place that has permanent exhibitions of works of art in it. ... an art gallery. Synonyms: exhibition room, museum, display room More Synonyms of gallery.
What are art galleries called? ›
An art museum or art gallery is a building or space for the display of art, usually from the museum's own collection. It might be in public or private ownership, be accessible to all, or have restrictions in place.
