A HIGHLY INFORMATIVE ONLINE MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE ARTIST AND THE ART LOVER
If you like this site then Recommend It!
A HIGHLY INFORMATIVE ONLINE MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE ARTIST AND THE ART LOVERIf you like this site then Recommend It!
ART FACTS
OWNING YOUR OWN GALLERY: The Art of Business and the Business of Art
By Robert K. Roark
The not-too-subtle fact is that owning your own gallery is not everyone's Earl Grey.
When a friend of mine recently announced that she wanted to open her own gallery of art and inquired of me as to what her first step should be, I reluctantly overcame my base comedic instincts and did not advise "Get a CAT scan." Rather, I extolled the benefits of gallery ownership and proceeded to lay out a virtual business plan for the unsuspecting victim, an act for which, no doubt, she will hold me in contempt for the remainder of her natural life.
The not-too-subtle fact is that owning your own gallery is not everyone's Earl Grey. I have calmly listened as many artists have pined to delve into the world of business. The thinking (or lack thereof) usually runs along these lines: "If I have my own gallery then I can avoid paying a commission on sales and keep all the money for myself." The implication is always that this is a grand, money-making adventure.
There are, of course, many legitimate reasons for opening one's own gallery. And there are as many different types, or styles, of galleries as there are entrepreneurs. It would be helpful for any would-be business person to first determine the kind of gallery that he or she would like to have.
Gallery "styles" range fro the small single artist-in-residence to the large-scale gallery representing dozens of artists. Depending on your needs and your ambitions, you must decide which is suitable. Keep in mind the fact that the more grandiose the digs, the more time, effort and energy will be required to maintain the business.
Once the scale of the operations has been determined, then you may proceed to resolve other important factors. Such as location. The location of a business (particularly a gallery) will oftentimes be a major contributing factor to whether the business succeeds or fails. Generally, it would be wise to locate your gallery in a well-traveled area which includes other desirable kinds of businesses. Because of the psychology intrinsic in the business of art, even a modestly up-scale gallery will be perceived as more "valid" if it is located between, say, a bookstore and an antique shop as opposed to snuggling up against a tee shirt emporium and a tattoo parlor.
It must be kept in mind that any gallery, regardless of how simple or elaborate, is, first and foremost, a business, and as such, is subject to all the rules and regulations of any such undertaking. Traditionally, artists have not been thought of as shrewd business persons and with some justification. If you are possessed of any doubts as pertains to your business acumen, do not hesitate to avail yourself to the services of those more experienced.
Owning and maintaining your own gallery can be an exciting and rewarding experience (for the right personality, of course). It can also be time-consuming and fraught with frustrations. It's a choice that, ultimately, only you can make.
In next month's article, I will delve more deeply into the details of the artist-owned gallery and will compare the benefits and liabilities of ownership vs. representation by an outside element. We will continue to explore the requirements of starting up a gallery and look into the various "structural" types of galleries you might want to consider.
In the meantime, "good arting!"
MR. ROARK'S UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
WINSTANLEY-ROARK FINE ARTS will feature ROBERT K. ROARK in a two person exhibition along with JAMES RODGERS on August 24, 2002 through September 1, 2002.
Artist Champagne Reception Saturday, August 24, 2002, 5 to 8 PM
Location and Contact Information:
WINSTANLEY-ROARK FINE ARTS
601 Main Street, Rte. 6A
Dennis, MA 02638
Local: 508.385.4713 Toll Free: 866.385.4713
Email: wrfa@masterfulart.com
Internet: http://www.masterfulart.com
Previous ART FACTS Current ART FACTS
LINKS
Site Map What's New Search
Please visit our Sponsors who help support the fine arts by supporting The Artistic Forum!
Copyrighted @ January 1, 1999 The Artistic Forum. All rights reserved. Reproductions in whole or part in any form or medium without express written permission of The Artistic Forum and or its parent Winstanley-Roark Fine Arts is prohibited. Winstanley-Roark Fine Arts, Winstanley-Roark Fine Arts logo, The Artistic Forum and The Artistic Forum logo, The Artistic Forum Web site, Masterfulart Digital Postcards, Masterfulart Digital Postcards logo, and all related titles are copyrighted & owned by the Artistic Forum and WRFAWeb Designs. User Agreement, Disclaimers, Submission, Copyright Information, Privacy Policy. This page is updated monthly and is created by WRFA Web Designs
courtesy of Winstanley-Roark Fine Arts.