Get your works exhibited in an art gallery
Galleries and renowned art dealers often receive an impressive number of requests from artists who wish to be represented or promoted by them.
Learn how to stand out by learning to avoid the most common mistakes made by artists and present a file that will turn the Gallery on to work with you.
Main steps to canvass a gallery
Find a gallery that suits me: type on your search engine “Art gallery” followed by the name of your region or cities of interest. For a more targeted search, you can add the artistic family (art brut, figurative, abstract…). Example: gallery of abstract art bordeaux, gallery of figurative art annecy. You can also consult the online gallery directories.
Find out about the galleries found by visiting its website, the sites of the artists exposed and ensure that the works exhibited are close to your work.
Contact the gallery: There is no recipe, each gallery owner works differently. However, we must not announce brutally that you are soliciting to expose.
Please note :
Avoid sending a book or photos by post, the gallery owner usually does not return the documents.
In Paris, opt for emails and the use of openings to get to know the artists of the gallery.
In the regions, do not hesitate to establish a local contact by regularly visiting the galleries that interest you.
Tips for canvassing galleries when you’re an artist:
Avoid canvassing the galleries by going with your book to a gallery without knowing it and without having made an appointment, you risk falling badly. You can start by calling and asking the ritual question, “Do I disturb you”.
Don’t forget to run through the website of the gallery.
The 10 fatal mistakes:
1. Enter a gallery without looking at what is presented
2. Say that one likes what is exhibited while does not appreciate the works presented
3. Criticize what is exposed when you have not been asked
4. Enter an abstract art gallery and show a book of figurative works
5. Disturb the gallery owner on the phone to request an appointment
6. Distribute your business card during the opening of another artist
7. Present to the gallery a book with old works
8. Canvass without inquiring about the gallery beforehand
9. Canvass galleries during contemporary art fairs
10. Having no knowledge of the artists are exhibited in a gallery that interests you
10 keys to success:
1. Visit the galleries without soliciting them
2. Enter a gallery because you like what is on display
3. Discuss with the gallery owner about the current exhibition, making sure the time is right
4. Don’t say right away that you’re an artist, let the gallery owner discover
5. Be a buyer of a work or even a catalogue if the work you like is not within your means
6. Locate the galleries that exhibit artists to whom you are sensitive and visit them regularly
7. Have connection with one or several of the artists exhibited in a gallery where you would like to be exhibited
8. Target galleries that have just opened (they do not yet have their quota of artists)
9. Be discreet and know how to put aside your ego as an artist
10. Present a professional artist’s book
