An art gallery is a place where artwork is displayed. These can be rooms or buildings. Galleries started to be used as such in the 1590s. They were first used as a way for Western cultures to display art. Originally, the galleries were long passageways along walls.
1. Fiduciary obligations are court determined
The fiduciary obligations of artist art galleries are court determined. There are special laws that apply to this relationship. If an art gallery fails to meet its obligations, it can be subject to civil penalties. Also, a dealer may face criminal penalties if it misappropriates funds. It is important for an artist to know his or her rights before negotiating or selling a work.
The amended New York artist consignment statute contains provisions to protect artists. It fortifies provisions that protect trust property, includes civil enforcement, and specifies reasonable attorneys’ fees. An artist who wins an action against a gallery can recover monetary damages and injunctive relief. However, this doesn’t mean that an artist should walk away from his or her work.
It is not a good idea to waive your rights, even if you don’t intend to. You must document your agreement with the gallery. You must also ensure that your share of the sale proceeds is deposited in a separate bank account.
The law of agency imposes a duty on a dealer to deal fairly with the artist. It requires the dealer to account to the artist on a regular basis and to provide all relevant information to the artist. It is also important for the artist to keep an inventory of the artwork. If the dealer fails to meet his or her obligations, the artist can sue the dealer for a contractual breach.
The Appellate Division has granted additional relief to Gagosian Gallery in the MAFG Art Fund case. The defendant in the case, Ezra Chowaiki, pled guilty to federal criminal charges.
The Appellate Division held that a high-end menswear store did not have a special relationship with the plaintiff, but he cited a breach of fiduciary duty. In the opinion, the court noted that the plaintiff had a sophisticated knowledge of the art world.
A dealer must also be aware of his or her obligations to collectors. For instance, a dealer may owe a fiduciary duty to a collector when the dealer acts as an agent. A dealer may also be liable for commingling funds.
2. Get feedback from the gallery
It’s important to get feedback from the right gallery. You’ll want to be sure you are putting your best work forward. Taking the time to build a rapport will go a long way in the future. This will give you more confidence to show your work and give your artist a reason to keep coming back.
Asking for feedback is the best way to achieve this. There is no shame in requesting feedback from a fellow artist, or in displaying a bit of gratitude in a letter of thanks. Likewise, be polite in your correspondence. While a rude or condescending email may garner a polite response, it will not win you business. The best gallery owners are those who treat you like a valued client.
It’s important to remember that art galleries are a business and have their own unique set of requirements. They want to be a part of your success. In other words, the more you do for them, the more they will do for you. This will arguably be the most important lesson you’ll learn. In the end, you’ll be a happier artist and a better advocate for your art.
The most important item you can give to an art gallery is your time. This may seem obvious, but you’ll be surprised how many artists take for granted their most precious commodity. A savvy artist will be on the ball at all times and not be overly tepid in their engagement with the art community. Make it a point to visit the hive of talent on a regular basis. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised by their willingness to share their knowledge and ideas with you.
It’s not uncommon for people to have multiple interests, so it’s always a good idea to juggle your priorities. This will also make it easier to discern which areas of your life need the most improvement. For instance, your artwork will benefit from being critiqued by fellow artists. This will allow you to glean the lessons of their mistakes and successes. For example, a critique of your work will force you to think critically about your process and the results.
3. Keep a good record of who is buying the artwork
Keeping a good record of who is buying your artwork is no small feat. Not only is it important for tax purposes, but it is also a good business practice. If you have the right paperwork in hand, you will have a leg up when it comes to insurance claims. Here are a few tips to help you along.
First, you need to find a gallery that specializes in art. Secondly, ask if they have a consignment agreement. Third, find out what the fees are and what is required. Lastly, make sure you get a good idea of how much sales tax you will be responsible for. This will go a long way toward ensuring you don’t pay more than you need to.
As for the paperwork, you will want to have a couple of different folders in a few different locations. One folder should be for the items that need to be mailed out, and another for the ones that need to be held on site. A good rule of thumb is to never combine any single artwork into one transaction. However, it isn’t always possible to avoid that temptation.
You should also consider getting your work in front of the public. Using the Internet can be a great way to do this. Not only will you be able to promote your work, you can also meet new people and make friends in the process. Moreover, you can even put your money where your mouth is by participating in an artist’s tradeshow. You can even sign up for an auction where you can bid on works of art that are being sold by other art collectors. If you aren’t keen on having to handle the logistics, you can also consider a broker. Of course, before signing up for such a service, you should first make sure you have a solid understanding of what you are signing up for. This is especially true if you are looking to monetize your work.
4. Create a “multicity support network”
Small artist art galleries should consider creating a “multicity support network” that can help to create opportunities for artists to grow and to create shows that are successful and sell well. The benefits of establishing this type of network are plentiful for the artist as well as the art gallery. For example, galleries can offer an array of services such as publishing and photography assistance. And, for the artist, having a network that supports him or her in other cities can help to provide a sense of belonging.
Whether you are a large or small art gallery, it is important to keep an eye on what is going on in the world of the art scene. The strength of a gallery lies in its ability to maintain a relationship with its artists and to promote and market them. By doing this, the gallery helps to ensure that its artists will be able to make a living as well as keep up with the current trends and issues in the art world.