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Paying for representation....

06/10/2008 12:39:15 / don't know

I would like to ask your opinion.

There is a gallery in New York that I submitted my work to about a month ago and they said they would like to represent my paintings. Of course hearing those words for most (not necessarily all) artists would be music to their ears. I read through the agreement and come to find this gallery is a little different to others. You actually PAY for that representation. It's very well put together and there are different levels of costs ranging from $3k to well... over $20k and that doesn't include any pricing of course with getting it framed or getting it to... or from the gallery should it not sell.

This past weekend I drove up to New York to see the gallery and meet the curator. 1500 mile trip. EXHAUSTING to say the least. The gallery was in a good area in Chelsea and the curator was extremely professional and courteous. They really do have their act together, online, through print and in the actual gallery, but that 'act' comes at a price. I'm looking at having to shell out $5k for this representation, although if/when paintings sell they take 30% not 50%.

So why am I tell 'you' all this? 
Well. I want to know what you think. Have you heard or this before?
If this common practice that I don't know about?

I don't have an 'art history' with galleries, although we all have to start somewhere... do we not? The only way people would 'know' me or my paintings would be from an one line perspective. This really was one of the first galleries I submitted my art to to be honest. 

Five grand for my paintings to meet the world...or New York at least! hmmmm. I sure could buy a lot of canvas and materials with five grand.

So.. What do you think?


MEMBERS COMMENTS



VIEWING 1 - 6 OUT OF 6 COMMENTS



From: ricmon
06/12/2008 09:00:25
For many artists~ this arrangement would not be a good idea because if none sold, you would be out a bundle. However Adam; with your large accumulation of works and the excellent and eclectic nature of your collection. I bet you would come out on top. Rick

From: lcsmith
06/10/2008 17:20:03
"Vanity Galleries" are like "Vanity Publishers" where you have to pay up front costs and hope they sell something for you.  All the advice you've been given previously is sound.  There are better ways...maybe not easy, but better.  I believe there are a couple gallery business models that make sense and the Vanity one is not one of them.  Traditional galleries are like consignment shops...they will represent your work and take anywhere from 40-50% commission - and they do the framing and marketing.  Another business model is one that rents space, say $30 a month for one piece or $100 a month for 6 pieces, and takes a 2% commission, and they do all the promotion and marketing - this type advertises itself as "affordable art" meaning that because they don't take that huge commission fee, the artwork does not need to be marked up so high.  Another type of gallery is the artists co-op where artists band together, share all the costs.  I would get an online gallery for sure.  But any type of offer that says they will represent you if you pay them money up front needs a very close look.  Just my thoughts. - Linda


From: Susanne
06/10/2008 16:36:48

There are quite a few galleries all around the world like this.  They are sometime referred to as "Vanity Galleries" as they are sometimes not very choosy about the quality of work they show but just like to take money from people eager to have a gallery exhibition. However I believe that some of them actually do a decent job. I would do some research on the web, perhaps on the wet canvas forum.  It's a lot of money to spend. Another thought is that galleries who choose who they represent are dismissive of this type of paid gallery representation. I think the Agora gallery in NY is one of the bigger galleries doing this.  hey approached me a few years ago. Don't let me put you off as the gallery you are dealing with may be a good gallery who will do things right by you.  I hope this helpful.


Susanne

From: LAndrae
06/10/2008 15:50:05

I read something like this in a book I've read a while back. It sounds to me that it's more or less a vanity gallery.


L'Andrae'

From: johnnybotts
06/10/2008 14:42:45

Adam,


I would be careful.  This sounds like a "vanity gallery" where their business model is to recruit artists more than buyers.  Google New York Vanity Galleries for some interesting articles. 


I was tempted by a similar thing in San Francisco, but resisted.  Later I saw an email saying they were closing their gallery location and selling off the furniture.  eeeks!  I'm glad I didn't shell out the money.



From: FineArtbyRobin
06/10/2008 13:35:16

Hi Adam,

My opinion, why pay for representation? I get emails regularly from galleries in NYC that say they want to represent my art and I think those galleries are able to make money off of us artists by charging a fee, as if we weren't already 'starving' enough! If these galleries are charging artists to show their work, you have to wonder who their client base is or even if they have one.

This is not the way all galleries function.

I am in several galleries and my only 'fee' is that the gallery gets 50% of my sales and I believe that is more of a norm when a gallery is involved. Did you notice if the gallery that you were looking at also takes a percentage of anything they sell?

If you want gallery representation, try going somewhere locally first, see if you can get in without a financial commitment up front, then if you decide its worth it, you can always pay the NYC gallery that offered to take your money some time in the future! Its a win win situation for galleries that do this, but maybe not for the artists.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

 

 

 







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