Art Industry Context - Exam style question

Question 1

Explain the different roles of a commercial and public gallery

Role of commercial gallery - R

Answer 1

Commercial galleries have a variety of roles within the art industry.
Commercial galleries are responsible for carefully selecting their own ‘stable’ of artists for representation.

Question 2

Role of commercial gallery - S

Answer 2

Artists represented by the gallery are obliged to sell their work exclusively through them, further ensuring the gallery has a successful product to sell.

Because commercial galleries are also a business, they have the responsibility of selling artwork to gain a profit to exceed expenses viable. Usually, they take 30-50% of sales from all work and engage with buyers through simple/complex sales.

Question 3

Role of commercial gallery - P

Answer 3

Selling art is a complex web of quality, reputation, style, and taste, so commercial galleries have adopted the role of promoting artworks through advertising eg. magazines, press, fliers, as well as commissions, which may increase exposure to the general public.

Question 4

Role of commercial gallery - C

Answer 4

Commercial galleries are also obliged to collect artworks, which are maintained in stock rooms to keep/display further samples of an artist’s work.

Question 5

Public Gallery - E

Answer 5

Public galleries, owned and established by the government, also posses a wide range of roles when exhibiting art.

As an educational resource, public galleries are responsible for teaching the public about cultural/artistic heritage, through free tours, school groups, and professional development.

Question 6

Public Gallery - P

Answer 6

Public galleries also have a role in deciding on the exhibition program to present collections to the public, further boosting attendance.