Should I try to get into established galleries or open my own?

Opening your own gallery is generally preferable to joining collective or consignment galleries if you can manage it. The economics of collective galleries often don’t work out—the rent versus sales ratio typically isn’t worthwhile. However, owning your own gallery means taking on significant responsibility: lease commitments, being open during peak retail times (weekends, holidays), and managing a physical retail space. The artist-owned gallery model is emerging as a successful approach, where you control the entire experience, keep all the profit, and can offer everything from originals to merchandise under one roof. If the financial commitment of going solo feels too large, consider partnering with another artist to share costs and responsibilities. Wait for the right opportunity in an emerging area rather than rushing into an expensive established district. Look for developing neighborhoods or downtown revitalization projects where you can get in early at better rates.

---

Asked by an artist considering gallery options · Answered by Patrick Shanahan and Johnny Adolphson · art-marketing-podcast · 2024-12-14