Most people are familiar with art galleries, but if you’re considering either showing work or purchasing art from a gallery, it’s a good idea to have an idea of the different types out there.
Art galleries have been around for centuries and with the advent of modern communication, a gallery in Tokyo can be just as accessible as a gallery in Santa Barbara. But before you place your work or if you’re considering investing in art, take a moment to check out the different types of places that sell art. Knowing the ins and outs of displaying art for sale can save you a great deal of time and money down the road.
The most common type of showplace for sellable art is the commercial gallery. These businesses focus on promoting artists that they like, and most people are familiar with this kind of gallery. Owners of the galleries usually take 40-50% of sales and provide a space to show art, access to artists and customers, and promotional/marketing help. For buyers, the advantage of using a commercial gallery to buy art means that you have a person to return to if the art does not hold up over time, however on the down side sometimes prices can be a bit steeper.
Nonprofit art showrooms focus more on supporting artists and less on their business model. Commission here is usually 20-30% and while promotion is not as aggressive, a nonprofit can be a great place to place show and sell your work as an artist. For buyers, the a nonprofit gallery may be harder to notice as they advertise less, but once you find them, the prices may be a bit lower.
A Co-Op gallery is a grassroots effort run by and for artists and usually has local work. Members usually pay a fee to join and share responsibility for handling sales, cleaning, maintenance and covering open gallery hours. Most co-op galleries are a great place to actually meet and discuss work with the artist that created it as well as learn more about what is happening in the local art scene. As a buyer, finding a solid co-op is a phenomenal way to get work by up and coming artists.
As either a buyer or artist, think about the type of gallery you’re in next time you go looking at art. No matter what type of showroom you’re visiting, the main point is the work being displayed. Truthfully, any business that makes good art work available to the public is well worth checking out.