Comments on: Investigating Venues for Showing Your Art

By: Alyson Stanfield

Mon, 18 Jan 2016 23:54:30 +0000

If you approach ANY venue in the right way, you can use it to make sales, but you have to do lots of work. If you think of your art as decorating a space, then that is, indeed, providing free art for them.

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By: Kevin Aita

Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:09:05 +0000

Great list of pros and cons. My concern in seeking gallery venues is that the truly commercial gallery is becoming an endangered species, by truly commercial I mean a gallery that makes its income solely on selling artwork. I find a good number of Non-profit galleries which typically equate to Non-sale galleries as the staff is usually more concerned in asking for a donation than a sale. The more typical gallery now seems to be what I call a Vanity Gallery where the gallery poses as a commercial gallery but is really propped up by classes and workshops or other events the owner is typically an artist and is only interested in selling their own work. these galleries usually are terrible at closing a sale. They seek out good artist to fill their walls and they would rather not see the art move out the door as it would create a hole in their decor scheme. I think artist that show their work in venues like restaurants and offices are really only giving those venues free art. I wish more artist would approach those venues with a art rental proposal it would be more lucrative. The restaurant or bank or doctor’s office would at least see there is value in having art on their walls. Alyson you probably remember Eugene Bavenger from OU he rented his paintings to the corporate offices in OKC and made good money without selling any of his art.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 20:21:55 +0000

In reply to Kristen M. Watson.

Kristen: Will they have an opening? Do they have a list?

No sales staff? At a gallery???

Good on you for saying No to cheese puffs. 🙂

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 20:20:46 +0000

In reply to Mariruth Brown.

Nice list, Mariruth. Have you ever sold from any of those venues?

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By: Kristen M. Watson

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 13:06:44 +0000

I’m in a negotiation now with a gallery that wants 40% commission, yet they won’t pay for advertising (only doing free digital ads), or install the art, and have no dedicated sales staff. I felt that I should negotiate for a reduced commission considering that I’m going to have to pay for advertising and the lack of sales staff reduces the likelihood of sales. Even though the place is known as a place to see art, it doesn’t get much foot traffic except at openings. What do others think?

Oh, and I would also add to the list: if the venue says they’ll provide the food and/or beverages, get an idea of what’s planned and how much they’re willing to spend. One time I had a venue try to put out cheese puffs at my opening. Thanks, but um, no.

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By: Mariruth Brown

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:07:36 +0000

Hello, great list … thanks for sharing. As to non- gallery exhibits: My local senior center holds monthly exhibits giving local artists exposure as they hold many events open to the public. They list the exhibit in their monthly newsletter and on their website. They do handle sales 2. The local library also has monthly exhibits and are always looking for artists. They don’t handle sales but do put a notice of the monthly artists in their newsletter and on their website, with a brief bio. 3. The local credit union hangs art work on their walls. Again they don’t handle sales but great exposure. There are several places that like “free” rotating artwork to decorate their offices, the waiting rooms of the dentist, doctors, lawyers, social services, clinics, chamber of commerce: all great venues for exposure.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Mon, 11 Jan 2016 15:21:21 +0000

In reply to Donna Levreault.

OTH, if you are bringing people to the venue and the venue is selling plenty of food from you, it should be 0%.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Mon, 11 Jan 2016 15:20:33 +0000

In reply to Donna Levreault.

It depends. Do they promote it at all for you? Do they tell their lists? I’m guessing 20-30% if you have no rental fee.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Mon, 11 Jan 2016 15:03:09 +0000

In reply to Gwen.

Wow! Good job, Gwen. I know something will pan out.

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By: Gwen

Mon, 11 Jan 2016 03:26:41 +0000

Thank you so much. I spent almost seven hours Saturday investigating venues. That was a huge step. Mostly I searched them out and printed off the information. I will sift through on Monday. I am going to read this before the sun comes up but not now or I KNOW I will be awake all night.
Perfect timing!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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