The Right Art Gallery - How to Find One

Finding a new gallery for your art can be a daunting task for many artists and not all artists have that natural-sales-ability.

But, the number one Cardinal Rule for any type of sales is to sell yourself! So how does one do that?

First of all, honestly ask yourself a few important questions:

• Am I ready for a gallery?
• Is my art saleable?
• Is my art technically good?
• Have I developed a recognizable style?
• Do I have a cohesive body of work ready to display?
• Have I had success selling my work in art/craft shows, out of your studio and other non-gallery venues?
• Do I have the time to fulfill the supply & demand of a gallery?
• Do I have a website that showcases my art and information? (This is not a must, but highly suggested)
• Do I have a portfolio, bio, resume & artist statement?

If the answers are yes, great – you might be ready to take the next step toward finding the right gallery. If the answer is no, then don’t put yourself in a vulnerable position.

Approaching a gallery before you are ready is kind of like putting a gangly teenager in modeling school. It won’t help your self-esteem and it most likely will bruise your ego. Be patient and hone your craft until the ugly duckling turns into a swan.

Okay. So you are ready for a gallery. Now it is important to do-your-homework and think about where your artwork belongs in the art market. This is easy to do and you can start from home:

• Flip through art magazines and look at gallery ads and the artists they represent.
• Checkout gallery websites and see if your work would be a good fit for them.
• Talk to fellow artists and have them suggest galleries to you.
• If you paint traditional floral still life paintings don’t bother approaching a gallery that specializes in contemporary abstract art.
• On the other hand, all galleries are looking for that fresh artist to add to their “artists’ stable” but - within its own genre.
• The next step is to venture out and visit some local galleries in your area or take a road trip to some galleries of your targeted art market.
• But, observe the gallery through the eyes of a collector, not as an artist.
  • Watch and see how the staff greats and treats you. Are they courteous and professional?
  • Walk through the gallery and scan the art, look how it is hung and check the lighting.
  • Ask for a price sheet if available. Be sure and get references on the gallery from other artists.
  • Try and visualize your art hanging in the gallery and see how it compares in quality to their other artists.
  • Searching for the right gallery is a process of elimination.
• The more galleries you visit and research, the more informed you will be about making the right choice.
• Now you have a short list of galleries that are a good match and you are ready to approach a gallery.
• But, remember that a successful gallery with a good reputation gets inundated with dozens of artists’ submissions each week.

I work closely with Kneeland Gallery who represents me. They all have stellar reputations and therefore they are flooded with artists’ inquiries each week. So how do you make yourself stand out from the crowd?

Check your target gallery website and see if they do or don’t have specific protocol for artists’ submissions. If they do have guidelines, follow them (or be a rebel and do it your own way, but you might get shut down). If there are no guidelines then you can try some of the suggestions below:

But, first a bit more about Specific Gallery Requirements:
Some galleries, especially within the high end fine art market have specific submission requirements and policies. Usually artists must submit work for review. This generally means a professional portfolio of at least 10 slides, photos or transparencies or a CD depicting recent works. Please read how to Create a Powerful Portfolio for up to date advice from a gallery owner. Always send a self-addressed, stamped envelope or risk never seeing your material again.

The Portfolio Submission:
If you chose to send a portfolio directly to your chosen gallery, be sure and follow the guidelines mentioned above. Most artists today still simply send in a marketing package that includes a professional portfolio which often times get stacked up in a pile and overlooked. Don’t try and get too cleaver with the presentation. Keep your portfolio tailored, professional and filled with your best work. It is a good idea to follow up two weeks later with a phone call.

The Cold Call:
This is where you pick up the phone and call the chosen gallery and pitch yourself. Practice and have a notepad with your thoughts outlined so you don’t ramble. At this point, be ready to sell yourself because there is no artwork to hide behind over the telephone. Here are a few hints to help you make that call…

• Check the gallery hours and exhibition schedule. If there is an event scheduled, make your call at least a week before or a week after the after the event.
• You minimize the risk of interrupting a busy and stressed out director.
• It is best to make phone calls either in the morning or at the end of the day. This is when busy directors most generally are at their desks.
• And…make calls during the middle of week.
• Ask to speak with the Director. If he/she is not available ask when he/she will be available and do not leave a message. (You might not get a return call) So, you call back later.
• Keep the conversation short, friendly and to the point.
• Introduce yourself, explain that you are interested in their gallery, and briefly tell them a little bit about you and your art and why you are a match for them.
• Follow up the conversation with an email linking to your website or attach a few jpeg images of your work – do this within a day so they don’t forget you.
• Mention in your email that if you don’t hear back from them, you will check back – give them one to two weeks.
• Or ask the gallery if they would prefer a portfolio, slides or a website to review

The Walk In:
Get ready to sell yourself. This is a more aggressive approach that can or can’t work – it all depends on how attuned you feel with the director or owner. There are no set rules so be ready to go-with-the-flow. Here are some ideas to help you take that step in the door:

• Just like the ‘cold call’ check the gallery schedule and make sure you are not interrupting a major event or busy time.
• Hopefully you have done your homework and familiarized yourself with the gallery.
• Look your best.
• Ask to speak with the owner or director
• Be informed and demonstrate that you understand the gallery program.
• Let them know why your work is a good match.
• Do not walk in with paintings tucked under your arm – this looks desperate.
• Leave a business card with your website information or a portfolio for their review.
• Don’t overwhelm them with too much information, leave them wanting more.
• Walk in with a good attitude. Be courteous.

Now let’s say they really like you and things have gone well…they might ask to have you send them a few paintings for their approval – or they might ask to see some work in person. At this point (this has worked for many of my artist friends, especially when they are on a road trip) have few small framed samples of your best work out in the car.

The Look-see:
Invite your targeted gallery to visit a current showing of your work. Many artists show their art is art/craft shows, restaurants, banks, interior design firms, frames shops and their own studios. If you are lucky enough to live in a community that has a possible gallery for you this approach might work. I suggest you send a printed invitation with an image of your art to the director followed up with a phone call.

The Referral:
This is the best way of approaching a gallery. It has worked wonders for me in the past. If you network with other artists, you most likely have friends with good connections. And yes, just like in Hollywood – it’s who you know. Ask your artist friend to recommend you to their gallery. Make sure to have your friend send them to your website or give them a portfolio of your art. This will peak the gallery’s interest in you. Within a week it is up to you to follow through. Give them a call and remind the gallery that they were recommended to you by your mutual artist friend. From there, hopefully you can build a working relationship.

The Gallery Request:
“If the mountain can’t go to Mohammad, let the mountain come to Mohammad.” What do I mean by that familiar, old statement? This is when the gallery approaches you! Yes, this does happen and has for me many times. But before you say, ‘yes,’ make sure to check the gallery’s references and business record. If they measure up and look like a good fit, this can be the best of all worlds. The gallery picked you. That means they are excited to show your work in their gallery – and this can mean more sales.

The above suggestions are advice that I have compiled from my years as an artist and talking with galleries and fellow artists. We all have battle scars and war stories to tell, but I hope these ideas help keep your pain to a minimum.

But, remember – “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again." and "Don't be discouraged. It's often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock."

You might enjoy these posts:
The Right Gallery - How I Found Mine.
5 Reasons Why Artists Need Social Media & Eye Opening Stats to Back it Up!
Newsletter Art Marketing Tips that Work!
5 Common Traits of Successful Artists
One Simple and Effective Way to Show the World You're a Pro
Create a Powerful Portfolio
How I Landed Two Galleries in One Weekend

by Lori McNee