As someone passionate about creating, whether you’re a starter or an intermediate artist who’s already been into the world of art, there comes a time when you want to present your work to the art galleries. At first, this seems like a frustrating step because it may be far beyond your comfort zone. There are tons of things to be considered when opening new doors of opportunities. It often might feel like it’s nearly impossible to make it work, with all the rules and competition, but nothing is impossible if you are determined to do it. We can hopefully help you get your work in an art gallery.
Find out if the Gallery is a Good match for You
Before approaching a gallery, make sure that it’s the right one for you. There are different art galleries for artists. They might have their views on aesthetics and style, so you need to consider whether your paintings match their vision. Don’t just submit anything because they might not even feel it.
Listen to their Guidelines
You have to follow their submission policy as well. You can find out about it by checking the gallery’s website or calling them on the phone. The other way would be to meet the people in charge in person. It might be the old-fashioned way, but it’s the best way to get to know each other. You can also use your charm.
The Art Gallery is usually very strict about its policies. Don’t send them more than needed if they mention a certain number of works. There is also a chance that they don’t accept submissions. Also, don’t brag about your works, especially after being rejected – you’ll come off as egotistical and disrespectful.
Make a Connection with the Art Gallery
When you’ve found a gallery that matches your vision, and vice versa, the next step would be to form a connection with the gallerists. The best way to maintain a mutual relationship is through attending different events, signing up for their newsletter, or following their social media page.
Show them how much you care about them and your partnership. You might also meet some new friends who share mutual interests. That way, you will be remembered and looked at as a great supporter and a loyal community member. That’s how you build relationships and expand them even further.
What’s your Contribution to the Art Gallery
Some artists expect everything to be covered by the galleries, but not many think about their contribution. You never know when you’re going to be needed the most. They might require you to introduce their gallery to others or share their website or social media page – and sharing is caring.
Building Audience
In today’s day and age, artists have many opportunities to show their work to the world. When meeting up with the gallerists, they expect you to have an audience. It shows if you’re serious about your work or merely a hobbyist. You need to have an online presence and build some following.
Use social media as a tool for self-promotion, and pick one of the platforms as the main one. Gain the number of followers, create a fanbase, build a community. With this, you will prove to the gallerists that you know how to market yourself, and they can count on a larger number of people visiting their gallery.
Prepare yourself to Speak about your Work
When showcasing your work, expect to be asked to talk about it. It’s an excellent opportunity to introduce yourself to the viewers and tell the story behind your paintings, but don’t say something like, “It’s pretty obvious” or “Try to figure it out yourself.” You’ll appear insecure, and it’s not good for a reputation.
The Commission is a Part of the Deal
We believe artists when they say that they put a lot of work and thought into their work and that some look at the commission as a hassle. You’d ask yourself, “But why would I let them have such a big chunk of my earnings? It’s not like they made the paintings!” You need to understand their part of the story too.
Of course, if the commission percentage goes to about 50%, you should feel upset. At that point, you would expect everything to be taken care of by the gallerists. However, they also have to deal with their taxes and expenses. Maintaining and organizing an art fair does come with costs, so keep that in mind.
Conclusion
There are ways to get your work in an art gallery. Just remember, your mileage may vary. Not everyone has succeeded the exact same way, so make sure you check all the steps before meeting up and talking to any of the gallerists. You need to have priorities but think about the role of a gallerist as if you were one.
Get yourself out there without hesitating, and build relationships. Become known by many other artists, gallerists, or followers. You will have your ups – just don’t let the downs break you too soon. Because if you don’t do anything about your work, you won’t make it. Remember these steps, and hopefully, you’ll succeed.
