Never Pay to Show Your Art

Coagula Art Journal publisher Mat Gleason offers advice for artists who want to exhibit in art galleries.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• contemporary art
• art world
• artists
• art gallery

[ammusi]

I made the mistake of paying someone to represent me - NEVER AGAIN. Lesson learned.

[KeatingArt]

Thanks Mat for stating this so well. I typically rant about the same things, but you have given me a much better way of stating my point in the future.

[artkent]

In the 70s I was with Artists for Economic Action. Our policy was for artists never to pay an entry fee to have their art considered for a show unless that fee is returned to all rejected artists. I like your rule even better. We also asked artists not to give art to the growing "charity" auctions unless they returned 50% of the selling price to the artist. Framing alone is over $100 donation by the artist, let alone the art.

[meeces13]

im glad the camera isnt stable for this. makes it seem more friendly/intimate. good job

[xamuartsa]

I have an exception to this rule. Art festivals. I pay for booth space at festivals to sell my art. I do quite well with it. But I never pay to exhibit in a gallery or to have somebody represent my work for me.

[KWU1231979]

coincidentally JMB included parasites and leeches in his work.

[KWU1231979]

will do. thanks for the advice. btw shouldnt they pay me to show my art?

[scottblake]

Ico Gallery asked me $2,500 for a show.

"Gallery Advertising cost due up front"

I told them to watch this video.

[citileft]

thank you mr. gleason for this wonderfully informative video. i wasn't aware of this. i just paid a guy named arne glimcher

$700 to exhibit a drawing in his gallery in chelsea. he claimed it was a handling fee.

[citileft]

thank you mr. gleason...........

i will follow your important advice. I wasn't aware of this!