Any advice on starting an art gallery?

It is my dream to have my own unique concept art gallery which will both represent my art and that of other talented emerging artists in addition to another unique idea I am still brainstorming on. I have seen a small town family run art gallery that does this similar thing but with emerging and well known artists, they always do well with sales and it is a small family run operation which they seem to love.


I don't want to be big and elaborate but small and make a comfortable living in a space that is more inviting and functional than traditional galleries.





any advice? I have a bachelor of arts with an art major and i have been working as an elementary school substitute teacher the past several years and I am only just overcoming a creative block and have only really given my own art time to develop over the past year. I am beginning with having my own self run open house to get the ball rolling.





any toronto, ontario or surrounding area people with experience and adv. please.

Any advice on starting an art gallery?
you don't mention that you have actual experience with running an art gallery. I've seen many galleries appear and then disappear even more quickly, making it clear that it't not an easy job. Unless you own the gallery space, rent is going to be very expensive and the first question is if you are even going to make enough to cover the rent.


I suggest that you first get a job at a well running gallery (like the one you mention) or even do an internship and learn all you can. It probably wouldn't hurt to take some business classes either.


There would be other options like running a gallery as a no-profit organization as there can be art grants available for such community projects, or as a kind of art coop.
Reply:before u start one u have to be very talented to have your own gallery, and u would have to buy a space and make one. trust me, ive been to galleries with some realy crappy work and i dought they make any sales. u should first look at some artists/gallery websites to get a view of what u have to do.
Reply:I've worked in an art gallery for 7 years, but we also sell framing and some home accessories and lately jewelry. We sell a lot of art, but the framing pays the bills. However, if we didn't have a framing department, we probably wouldn't have those bills to pay - all the employees, equipment, mats, glass, etc.





My advice would be to go for it, but have things for sale that are more giftable such as jewelry or pottery or other small handmade items just so you have some kind of consistent cash flow.





Definitely only show art that you love, because you'll have a hard time selling art that you don't. You should pick categories and stick with them - we only sell artwork that does not go under glass with a few rare exceptions. Photography and pastels just have not done well for us, but works on canvas or board do great. Your specialty could be photography, though so just find a niche and stick with it.





Be friendly to people and be open to selling online. Art galleries have definitely lost their snobby connotation in the last ten years or so, so make your gallery inviting, play some music, and just let your customers browse.





We don't offer a financing plan, but I think that it's a good idea. Also we never ever put on the "hard sell". We just try to work with decorators (they're definitely helpful in selling art) and let customers take things on approval. If they like it, they buy it. And they'll remember that you never pressured them and will come back and invite their friends, too.





Good luck!
Reply:1. It is unlikely that you can both work as an artist and run a gallery. Choose one or the other.





2. Start by forming some Internet based groups on Flicker or Yahoo, to get a sense of what`s out there.





3. Artists` studio complexes are a good place to source artwork, hold events etc.





4. Ask yourself what, in the Internet age, the function of a gallery is? Why should anyone buy from a gallery when it is so easy to buy direct from the artist?





5. How much money do you need to make a living? Visit a local accountants to at least get a working figure, for a small business in your area.





6. Have a clear specialism, i.e. prints, abstracts, etc.





7. Only sell work you like.





8. Get at least a year`s experience working for a gallery, to understand handling, accounts, databases etc.





9. Very few people make a living doing this stuff.

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