Exhibiting in a gallery requires an investment of your time and energy on your part. So, before you ask any questions do some research, either in person or online.
1. Visit the gallery several times over a period of at least two seasons, at different times of the day.
2. Attend their receptions to see what kind of followers they attract.
3. Compare their style of doing business with established galleries that are known for building their artists’ reputations.
4. Check the Better Business Bureau, Attorney General’s office, artists’ organizations and online search engines for any complaints.
Questions to Ask Galleries, Especially Those That Charge You Fees
First ask yourself: What do you hope to achieve from this venture?
What role will this exhibition play in your short and long term career objectives?
Then, find out the answers to the following questions:
1. Is the gallery genuinely impressed with your work (or your ability to pay their exhibition fee) and have they told you why?
2. Does the gallery offer a contract that obligates them to perform specific services for you or does the contract serve only to protect them?
3. What sales commission do they take?
4. What do the leading critics, gallery owners, artists’ organizations and fellow artists say about the gallery?
5. Has the gallery received any legitimate reviews by known critics?
6. If you pay a dealer any substantial sum upfront, do you think they will be motivated to develop sales of your work?
7. Does the gallery consistently advertise in art publications for “Call For Artists” and “Competitions”? Think about this: If they were satisfying their current artists through sales and promotion why do they need to continuously try to get more artists?
8. Do they offer genuine public relations and marketing services? When you ask for specific proofs of past performance, do they respond with concrete evidence?
9. Do they treat you in a condescending manner as though you should be grateful to them for giving you the opportunity? You deserve and should require to have a gallery’s respect.
10. Is the gallery in a favorable location?
What is the appearance and attitude of the gallery and staff?
11. Is the hanging and lighting properly arranged? Is the quality of the artwork in the gallery unprofessional or uneven in quality? Are too many pieces hung on the wall too close together without sufficient space in between them?
12. Have you observed any qualified buyers in the gallery? Are there mostly artists at their receptions or does the gallery have a respected following of art consultants, interior designers, architects, collectors and members of the press?
13. Who determines the price of your work?
When will you be notified of sales?
How soon do you get paid after the sale?
14. Will the dealer release names and addresses to you of those who buy your work?
15. If the gallery is offering you extended representation, how many exhibitions are they offering in one year?
What are the costs and obligations for each?
16. What month(s) are they offering you? (In New York January, February, July and August are the least desirable times.)
17. What kind of effort do they make to sell the work? A good gallery knows not to rely on walk-in traffic for sales; they generate sales through persistent effort – phone calls, press releases, advertising, mailings and a range of networking activities.
18. What portion of your fee goes toward advertising?
What types of advertising (radio, TV, or print) do they buy on a regular basis?
19. Do they provide an itemized list of what you get for your contribution fee?
20. Do they invite you to have a role in the decision-making process about where and how they spend your money? Are their costs legitimate or overstated?
21. Who will pay for invitations, receptions and advertising?
22. How many of their artists have remained with them for more than five years? Do you know any artists in the gallery whose work has sold in it? What do these artists have to say about them?
Also Read Beware of Vanity Galleries.
Hi Renee,
Do you think Artsy Shark call for artists to showcase is a good thing? They charge to submit for judging .
Kind regards
Yes, Debbie! I know Carolyn and she does a wonderful job on creating the featured articles and has a lot of traffic on her site. I think the fee is very small and she gives personalized attention to the entries. Whenever you’re faced with having to decide on an opportunity I think it’s important to weigh the costs with the risks and the potential value the organization or business provides.
I agree! Carolyn from Artsy Shark does beautiful promotional posts on Facebook and via email on Artsy Shark for the artists she features. This is one of the ways I discover artists to discuss in my videos and introduce to new collectors who are exploring the world of art collecting. Renee also is featuring artists and captivating artwork nonstop…her LinkedIn posts broaden my horizons in terms of artwork!
This is absolutely brilliant information! Thank you very much for your blog and the useful tips you provide, Renee. This article made me aware of just how many vanity galleries and exhibitions there are and how many artists fall into their traps, because of lack of knowledge and research.
You’re welcome Valentina. I’m glad to know my blog is useful to you and you found new information. I hope you’ll visit often and subscribe!
I’ve come to you with a different kind of question. I’m working on a book in which the main character is a fairly well known artist at a crucial point in her career. A gallery owner who has sold her work across the years wants to mount a retrospective exhibition of her work in his gallery.
Would the owner take charge of the design etc of the exhibition? Would it be unusual if my reclusive artist left it up to the owner and saw the exhibition for the first time shortly before its opening? Thanks for your help.
Anne, if you want your book to be accurate, then the gallery owner and artist should discuss some of the arrangements but usually the gallery makes the decisions about the installation. Your book sounds interesting. Good luck with it.
Thanks so much. It’s hard to find people willing to be very helpful so I’m very grateful. Anne
Renee, Thank you for such an informarive, illuminating and poignant discussion of the subject that many artists like myself crave. The links you provide are superb as well. I recognized a few “vulture” galleries in your list that tried to snare me last year. Thank you for providing an extraordinary helpful resource to the artists!
Dear Alla,
Thank you very much for reading my article and your positive comments about it and the links I provided about galleries. I’m glad you resisted the invitations you received from “vulture” galleries. I wish more artists would do the same as you. I hope you share the link to this article with fellow artists.
I visited your website and I love your paintings and photographs, especially the way you illuminate texture.
All the best,
Renee
Thank you Renee. Great article. When approached a few years ago by a legit sounding vanity gallery – I contacted 3 artists who had worked with this gallery – one out of the country, one living in close proximity to the gallery and the other on the other side of the country. All 3 had negative things to say. The local artist said the gallery was on the 7th floor, had no foot traffic and a year later – had still not returned her art.
Dear Kelly,
.That was a smart thing to do – to do the research and ask fellow artists about their experiences. We must all serve as each other’s career security guards and coaches.
Excellent point about the gallery on the 7th floor…. Some galleries will try to lure artists in by saying they are “located near a major museum” but as we know that doesn’t mean anyone who goes to the museums mentioned will ever know about or set foot in their gallery!
It’s unfortunate that the artist lost her art. That happens more than is reported because many artists are too embarrassed to admit they made a glaring mistake.
Best wishes,
Renee
Thanks Renee for this information, I My gallery experience so far has been not so pleasant and cost me a lot of time and money but I feel a vanity gallery may not be the way to go either. This list is helpful for everyone who may be struggling with this decision too.
Dear Linda,
Every day is a new opportunity for you to learn from the past and to make better decision about where to exhiti your art. You can seek the many positive alternatives to share your art with the world including nonprofit venues and other venues..
Best wishes,
Renee
Another terrific article,Renee!.I never thought of any of the things you mentioned and no one ever told me that!. As an “emerging artist” (I do so hate that term) I would be dumbfounded if a gallery would invite me to show my work, no questions asked.Thank you for educating us on the world of art!
I just came across your page here Renee about two days ago and would like to thank you for all the work you put into your site here . It means so much ☺
Thank you Michael!
I’m glad you found me and I hope you’ll visit often. Your comment means so much!
Best regards,
Renee
Renee, I learnt more just being on this page than I have my entire time at art university!
Great article!
Thank you once again for your advice.
I think question #6 on your list says a lot! ” If you pay a dealer any substantial sum upfront, do you think they will be motivated to develop sales of your work? ”
This and other questions really give an artist something to think about!
Thank you for your terrific work Renee!
Hi Susan,
You’re welcome! I’m glad you see the logic in my comment.
Best regards,
Renee
This comes and helps me at a good rime. I have 4 galleries wanting my attention. Some have thought I just needed a wall to show my work.
Really?
I do like your comments about promotion and I will definite promote the 2 I am a member of also.
Hi Susan, I’m so glad to know this article came to you at the right time. You may want to print out the list of questions to keep for future reference.. Best wishes!