How should I approach working with galleries as an independent artist?

Look for galleries that offer better terms than the traditional 50/50 split, such as cooperative galleries where artists work shifts in exchange for a better commission rate (like 80/20). Working in the gallery yourself gives you the opportunity to talk directly with customers about your work, which dramatically increases your sales compared to when someone else is working. Ensure you can collect customer information for your own marketing. Some artists are even taking on marketing roles for their galleries, which creates opportunities to improve how the gallery operates while building valuable skills.

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Asked by an artist working with a cooperative gallery · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2024-12-03