Marilyn, There are wide differences in the way art is presented in different types of galleries. A principle variable is sales. A simple distinction is: boutique art or salon art. The first is like any commodity and must conform to a wide variety of tastes. The salon focuses on exhibiting in a rather formal setting with narrower choices of presentation styles. Sales are not dependant on walk-in clients. Both types of galleries have art stored in flats or "bin art" that is simply matted. The main requirement regarding contractual issues is that there must be signed documents that indicate the delivery of work and agreed commissions and prices. Prices vary widely and depend on the local market. The only way to judge is by going to a lot of galleries in your area. BTW It is common for the artist to loose out in these arrangements. Payments are only made to the artist after the customer pays the gallery. There may not be insurance coverage. The gallery should disclose their responsibility to the artist's work i.e. reasionable care but no "we break it or loose it - we buy it" responsibility. If there are feature exhibits the gallery should produce and handle mailings and press releases for the artists. The gallery might also produce binders for each artist that include artist statements, tear sheets from reviews or advertising, and resumes. There are a variety of gallery organizational schemes. Co-operative boutique galleries seem to be most common and successful. I can describe them in more detail if you like. How well they prosper is the same as for any banana stand Private salon galleries seldom succeed because they require highly aggressive sales and marketing that many artists can not or do not wish to do. If you give me your PO address I'll send you a packet of stuff from our co-op. You can find out more here: http://www.gfn.org/buckham AZ Build a Lookaround! The Lookaround Book, 2nd ed. NOW SHIPPING http://www.panoramacamera.us > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Guidelines for galleries > From: "Marilyn" <marilyn@xxxxxxxxxxx> > Date: Fri, May 21, 2004 6:27 pm > To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students" > <photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > > I have some questions for those of you who show work in galleries, work > in a > gallery or have worked in galleries. > > Would you be willing to share with me: > > *Guidelines for framing work to be shown in gallery and how these > guidelines > are worded. > *Sample contracts for the artists (photographer's included, of > course). > *Promotional services the galleries provide for the artists. > *The gallerie's guidelines for choosing work to be shown. > *Sample waivers and contracts. > *How do the galleries handle "call for entries"? > > I'd be very interested in comments and thoughts from the side of > galleries > and the artist's side, also. > > Thank you. > > Marilyn
