Galleries

Question 1

Public Galleries - Intention

Answer 1

Educate/Inform the general public(including schools and universities),
-Collect and Promote Art
-Do not operate to generate a profit,
-Devoted to:
-Collecting
-Conserving
-Presenting

Question 2

Commercial Galleries

Answer 2

Makes money through selling and/or lending contemporary and historical artworks to collectors or the public.
-No government funding.
Dramatic change for commercial galleries:
-Smaller art related products have flooded the market e.g. prints at low cost
-Internet/online purchasing

Question 3

Role and Aim of Public Galleries - Educate

Answer 3

Teach the public about our cultural / artistic heritage, give school groups, free public tours, professional development for teachers and behind the scenes tours.

Question 4

Role and Aim of Public Galleries - Present

Answer 4

Must decide on an exhibition program which will present the best exhibitions to the public to ensure attendance. The exhibition space and design is a vital part of the effective presentation of an exhibition. Conditions such as temperature and humidity in both display and storage spaces must also be maintained to ensure that works are presented at their best.

Question 5

Role and Aim of Public Galleries - Promote

Answer 5

Public galleries must ensure it provides an interesting venue for the public to view the collection. Exhibitions must be held that will engage the public, Must consider what and how they promote to increase attendance. Public galleries promote through a variety of sources –print and electronic media.

Question 6

Role and Aim of Public Galleries - Collect

Answer 6

A Public gallery is a custodian of art on behalf of the public. Must develop, maintain and conserve their collection for future generations.
Collection in a public gallery is viewed not sold.

Question 7

Role and Aim of Public Galleries - Conserve

Answer 7

Public galleries employ conservators to care for the works in it’s collection, whilst in storage and on display. Conservators first role is to prevent work from being damaged.

Question 8

Intention of Commercial Galleries

Answer 8

Key Role/Aim: to sell the work of their represented artists.
-Often privately owned and operated and in the business of dealing in art.
-Important place in art industry –exhibiting, promoting and selling work, especially contemporary art.
-Funding -from selling works and acting on behalf of other buyers.
-No government funding.
-The galleries are businesses and their main objective is to make profit through the sale of art works.

Question 9

Aim of Commercial Galleries - Select & Represent Artists

Answer 9

• Commercial galleries carefully select their own “stable” of artists to represent. They are responsible for marketing, promoting and exhibiting their artists. Generally mid to late career established artists are represented by major commercial galleries.
• Commercial galleries will create a unique style –e.g. collect and promote only Aboriginal artwork or only photographic works

Question 10

Aim of Commercial Galleries - Sell Artwork

Answer 10

• A commercial gallery is like any other business –it’s revenue must exceed its expenditure to be viable.
• Commissions charged on the sale of works.
• Commercial galleries take a percentage of the sale of all work –anything from 30-55%.
• Simple sales –people walk into the gallery and purchase ‘off the wall’.
• Complex sales –work with a buyer/investor –people looking for investment and quality
• Commercial galleries work with their buyers as much as they work with their artists –need effective business relationships to ensure ongoing business.
• Selling art is a complex web of quality, reputation, style and taste.

Question 11

Aim of Commercial Galleries - Promote artwork

Answer 11

• Hold open Galleries/Functions
  -Create social media pages, posters, newspapers etc
  -Artists may promote the exhibitions.