Maintaining Healthy Gallery Relationships
Now that your work is in a gallery, there’s a lot you can do to keep that relationship healthy, professional, and mutually rewarding.
It all starts with your contract. Most galleries will provide a contract. The contract serves as the foundation for a successful working relationship. It should outline the responsibilities of both the gallery and the artist. Read it carefully. Ask questions. Ensure you understand every part before signing.
My gallery’s contract included details such as:
Commission terms – percentage, payout schedule, and methods of payment
Guidelines for bringing in new work – making appointments, itemized lists with retail prices, and expectations for presentation (for example, whether items should be stickered or not)
Insurance coverage – consignment items were not covered by my business insurance for loss from theft or breakage. This one is important to understand.
Sales statements – whether artists would receive monthly statements or have online access to their inventory and sales
Even with clear contracts, it’s inevitable that some artists will occasionally forget or bend the rules. Try not to be that artist. The more organized and professional you are, the easier it is for the gallery to process, display, and sell your work.
Every item that comes into a gallery should be ready to sell. When I ran my gallery, we sometimes received pieces that slowed us down - ornaments without hangers, pottery with rough bottoms, earrings missing cards, or cards without sleeves. Every item that wasn’t “shop-ready” created extra work for my staff and me. The occasional lapse was to be expected, but a repeat offender’s work would be set aside until I could assess the craftsmanship before allowing it to be displayed and sold.
My gallery required artists to set an appointment to bring work in. As the gallery grew busier, appointments became a necessity. My staff and I kept a detailed schedule of which artists were expected and what work they were bringing in. That organization helped us plan our workload, stay efficient, and keep the day enjoyable. Before large events, those appointments ensured I had enough staff on hand to handle the influx.
Pay attention to emails and other communication from your gallery. Some may be general newsletters, but others could include important information about restocking, upcoming shows, or special orders. Timely, thoughtful responses help maintain trust and respect.
Many artists work in multiple mediums. If you’re branching out, make an appointment to show new pieces before bringing them in with your other accepted work. Gallery owners know their clientele and know what tends to sell. If they don’t think a new product line, for example earrings from a potter, will fit, remember that it’s not personal. It’s a business decision based on experience and customer demand.
I always appreciated artists who respected that distinction. The most successful partnerships I had were with those who saw the relationship as a collaboration, one built on mutual respect, communication, and shared success.
Following a gallery’s guidelines not only makes things smoother for the gallery, it also helps your work get displayed faster and, in turn, sold faster. When you treat your gallery as a partner, not just a venue, you’ll find the experience far more rewarding. Professionalism and respect go both ways, and when both artist and gallery are in sync, everyone wins.