If you’re an artist, you’ve probably wondered whether joining a gallery is really worth it.
There are membership fees, volunteer commitments, rules to follow and sometimes not as many opportunities to show your work as you might expect. So what do you actually get in return?
The answer can be different for every artist.
The Good Side of Gallery Membership
A good gallery can be a great way to get your work in front of people.
Having your paintings displayed in a professional space gives potential collectors the opportunity to see your work in person. It can also give you opportunities to participate in exhibitions, special events, demonstrations and other activities that you might not be able to organize on your own.
And a good gallery should promote its artists.
That can mean sharing artwork on social media, promoting exhibitions, featuring individual artists, bringing people through the doors and making an effort to help collectors discover the artists represented there.
Gallery membership can also provide something that is sometimes just as important as sales — community.
Being around other artists can be inspiring. You get to see what others are creating, exchange ideas, learn about different mediums and techniques, and simply have people around who understand the ups and downs of being an artist.
But There Are Some Downsides
Gallery membership isn't automatically a good investment.
Before joining, it's worth asking some questions.
How often will I actually be able to show my work?
Some galleries have limited wall space, rotating exhibitions or a large number of members. You may find that getting your work on the wall isn't as easy as you thought.
How does the gallery promote its artists?
This is an important one. Don't assume that simply being a member means the gallery will actively promote your work. Find out what they actually do to help artists get noticed.
What are the hours of operation?
A gallery can have beautiful artwork on the walls, but if it's only open limited hours, there may be fewer opportunities for people to see it.
What is the atmosphere like?
This one can be overlooked. Galleries are made up of people, and whenever people work together, personalities and opinions can sometimes clash. If the environment is stressful or there are ongoing conflicts, the experience may take away from the enjoyment of being part of the art community.
What am I paying for?
Membership fees aren't necessarily a bad thing, but it's worth understanding what you're receiving in return. Is there promotion? Exhibition space? Events? Education? Networking? Community? Or are you mainly paying for the opportunity to say you're a gallery member?
Do Your Homework
Before joining a gallery, spend some time looking at it from an artist's point of view.
Visit the gallery. Look at how often exhibitions change. Check out their social media. See whether they regularly feature individual artists. Talk to current members if you can.
Most importantly, decide what you want from gallery membership.
If your goal is simply to have a place to display your work, one gallery may suit you. If you're looking for promotion, community, learning opportunities and help reaching collectors, you may have different expectations.
Gallery membership isn't essential to being an artist. Today, artists have more ways than ever to reach collectors — social media, websites, art markets, studio sales, community events and artist collectives are all possibilities.
The important thing is finding the places and people that actually help you move your art practice forward.
A gallery can be a wonderful partner for an artist.
But the right gallery should feel like a partnership — not simply a membership fee.