How to Get Your Art in a Gallery (Quick Overview)

Getting your art into a gallery can feel mysterious – like there’s a secret code only insiders know. But there’s a clear path to gallery representation when you understand what galleries look for and how to approach them professionally. Below is a quick roadmap:

• Build a strong, cohesive body of work
• Research galleries that align with your style and medium
• Create a polished artist portfolio and professional website
• Attend gallery openings and network with curators and artists
• Submit a well-crafted proposal, artist statement, and bio
• Follow up professionally and be open to feedback

This article dives deeper into each aspect and gives you practical tips to make your gallery goals a reality.

Why Gallery Representation Matters

It often brings a boost in visibility, credibility, and a chance to connect with serious collectors. But before you dive in, it’s important to know what to look for – and what to be cautious about – so you can build a partnership that truly supports your growth.

“Every gallery is constrained by the artists it already represents, as well as by what is scheduled to come in the future… we must turn down interesting artists all the time.” Evan Griffith, gallery owner

What Kind of Sales Can You Expect?

This can vary widely depending on the gallery, location, market trends, and your style and price point. For emerging artists, it’s common to sell between 1 to 3 pieces per month through a gallery, although this can fluctuate with seasons and exhibitions. High-traffic galleries in art hubs may generate more frequent sales, while smaller regional galleries might be slower but offer more personal engagement.

As for revenue, if your average piece sells for $1,500 and you sell two pieces a month, you’d gross $3,000. With a 50% commission, your net before expenses would be $1,500. However, don’t forget to factor in the cost of materials, framing, and transportation.

Rather than fixating only on numbers, it’s better to measure success in a few different ways:

• Are you gaining exposure to new audiences and collectors?
• Is the gallery actively promoting and including you in exhibitions?
• Are your sales growing or becoming more consistent over time?
• Are you building relationships that support your long-term career?

Treat early gallery partnerships as both a financial and career-building opportunity. Evaluate each experience not just on how many pieces sell, but also on how much momentum and visibility it helps generate.

1. Understand Commission Structures

Most galleries take a commission – typically 50% for 2D artwork, and around 33–40% for 3D pieces. That might sound steep at first, but remember: galleries cover overhead costs, promote your work, host exhibitions, and engage with potential collectors on your behalf. These services do have value, but they also directly affect how much you take home from each sale.

Let’s say your painting sells for $2,000. If the gallery takes a 50% commission, you receive $1,000. Then subtract the costs for materials, framing, shipping, and taxes, and your net profit could be significantly less. This reality means it’s crucial to set pricing strategically. Some artists choose to calculate their desired earnings first, then add the gallery’s commission on top to determine the retail price.

Tip: Look for galleries that are transparent about their commission rates, discount practices, and are open to discussing your financial goals.

In addition, many galleries offer discounts to close sales, often around 10%. These discounts are usually split between the gallery and the artist, further reducing your take-home amount. It’s important to clarify whether the gallery has a discounting policy and how those decisions are made.

2. Be Smart About Gallery Fees

Not all galleries operate the same way. While traditional galleries earn revenue solely from sales commissions, some charge artists upfront fees to exhibit work. These are often called “vanity galleries” and their business model relies more on artist payments than collector sales.

That doesn’t automatically make them unethical, but it does shift the incentives. A gallery that makes money, whether or not your art sells, may not be as motivated to promote your work actively. If you’re asked to pay an exhibition fee, ask detailed questions about what you’ll get in return – marketing, event promotion, installation support, or press outreach, for example.

Tip: Always ask how the gallery earns revenue and weigh whether their incentives align with your success. A gallery that’s truly invested in your career will be transparent and supportive.

On the other hand, cooperative and hybrid gallery models – often run by artists themselves – can be a fantastic alternative. These spaces usually charge modest monthly fees and take much smaller commissions. In return, you frequently get more autonomy and a community of peers with whom to collaborate.

3. Know What You’re Agreeing To with Exclusivity

Exclusivity agreements can benefit both parties when used wisely. They often allow a gallery to focus its resources on promoting you without fear of competition. But broad or unclear exclusivity terms can limit your freedom to market your work through other avenues.

For example, a gallery might request the exclusive right to sell your work in a specific region or for a particular medium. That’s not inherently bad, but if the gallery underperforms or doesn’t promote you actively, it could stall your growth. You might find yourself unable to participate in art fairs, open studios, or other opportunities simply because of a broad exclusivity clause.

Tip: Exclusivity should never feel like a cage. Choose galleries that see exclusivity as a collaborative effort, not a control mechanism.

Before signing, ask: Does this exclusivity apply to all your artwork? Only certain types? For how long? In what geographic area? You can often negotiate narrower terms that still allow for meaningful representation without restricting your career.

4. Prioritize Clear Communication

A healthy gallery relationship depends on open and honest communication. Unfortunately, some artists report feeling left in the dark after dropping off work – not knowing if a piece has sold, where it’s being displayed, or what’s coming up next.

You deserve updates. A professional gallery should be able to provide timely information on sales, exhibitions, and any promotional activity they are doing on your behalf. Miscommunication can lead to missed opportunities, confusion about pricing or availability, and general frustration on both sides.

Tip: Set expectations early. A gallery that values your work should also value keeping you in the loop.

Before entering into a partnership, ask how often the gallery communicates with artists, and through what channels. Do they send regular reports? Are there scheduled check-ins? Is there a designated point of contact?

5. Ask About Payment Timelines and Transparency

You should never be left guessing about when or how you’ll be paid. In most cases, galleries are expected to pay artists within 30 days of a sale. But payment delays and vague reporting can happen, and they can seriously damage trust.

The best galleries will issue timely payments and offer detailed sales reports – including what sold, at what price, and to whom (when possible). In places like New York, legal protections even require galleries to treat sale proceeds as trust funds for artists. But laws can be hard to enforce, especially without a written agreement.

Tip: Make sure your agreement includes a payment schedule and your right to sales documentation. Don’t leave financial matters to chance.

If a gallery hesitates to provide clear payment timelines or reports, consider that a red flag.

6. Advocate for Access to Your Collectors

Building a strong collector base is key to a sustainable art career. While most galleries won’t share full buyer contact info (to protect relationships), they should be willing to collaborate with you to understand who your collectors are.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask how you can stay involved with your collector base while respecting the gallery’s role.

Knowing what kind of people are drawn to your work can help you grow and tailor future projects. Even limited data – like demographics, sales trends, or buyer feedback – can help you make more informed decisions about your art and marketing strategy.

Additionally, it’s helpful to discuss whether the gallery allows artist-collector introductions when appropriate. Many collectors love connecting directly with artists; that personal touch can help drive repeat sales.

7. Keep Your Creative Voice Front and Center

Once your work starts selling, it’s tempting – and sometimes encouraged – to stick with what’s popular. But growth as an artist often means experimenting, evolving, and pushing your creative limits.

Tip: Talk openly with your gallery about your creative goals. If they value your voice, they’ll be excited to grow with you.

Some galleries prefer consistency in an artist’s output because it’s easier to market and sell. But you should never feel pressured to churn out the same type of work if it doesn’t align with your vision.

The right gallery will support your artistic growth and help you communicate new directions to your audience. They understand that evolving work can attract new collectors and keep existing ones engaged.

8. Make Sure You’ll Get the Attention You Deserve

Not all artists receive equal promotion in a gallery setting. Some may find their work consistently featured in exhibitions and newsletters, while others see their pieces collecting dust in the storage room.

Ask prospective galleries how many artists they currently represent and how they balance their promotional efforts. Do they rotate shows regularly? Do they offer solo or group show opportunities? Do they invest in marketing each artist fairly?

You want to work with a gallery with the time, resources, and enthusiasm to consistently promote your work.

9. Insist on a Written Agreement

Clear contracts are essential. While it may seem easier to rely on verbal agreements or informal arrangements, this can lead to serious misunderstandings down the line.

A written agreement should cover all the essentials: commission rates, payment schedules, discounts, shipping responsibilities, insurance, exclusivity, and terms for ending the partnership. Don’t view a contract as a sign of mistrust – it’s simply a professional tool that protects both you and the gallery.

Tip: If you’re unsure about contract language, get legal advice. It’s worth it.

10. Look for Alignment with Your Values

As an emerging artist, you deserve to work with a gallery that values and uplifts your unique perspective – not simply as a gesture toward diversity but as a meaningful part of their curatorial vision. While the art world continues to evolve, disparities in representation remain a pressing issue for artists from marginalized backgrounds.

Tip: A gallery that aligns with your values will amplify your voice, not just your visuals.

Seek out galleries that demonstrate a genuine commitment to inclusion through their actions, not just their mission statements. Examine their artist rosters, review their past exhibitions, and ask thoughtful questions about their curatorial choices and community engagement. How do they select artists? What types of collectors do they attract? Do they support artists with the resources and visibility needed to succeed?

Choosing a gallery that reflects your values is more than a feel-good decision – it can create a more empowering, sustainable, and equitable environment in which your career can grow.

Bonus: Protect Your Energy

Pursuing a gallery partnership should feel energizing and hopeful, not draining or discouraging. The pressure to meet deadlines, produce for shows, and manage expectations can lead to burnout if you’re not careful.

Be honest about how much time and energy you can give. A gallery that supports your well-being is a gallery that’s worth working with.

Tip: Remember: You are your most valuable asset. Choose relationships that fuel, not drain, your creative spark.

Sources and Recommended Reading

• The Creative Independent – Survey: How Do Artists Make Money (2018)
• Art Basel & UBS Global Art Market Report (2023)
• Artnet x In Other Words – Diversity in the Art World Report (2019)
• Artwork Archive – Insights and Industry Trends

Final Thoughts

Gallery partnerships can be exciting and rewarding, but they work best when both parties bring transparency, communication, and respect to the table.

As an artist, you bring the magic – your vision, your talent, your dedication. The right gallery will recognize that and help amplify your voice, not stifle it.

So take your time. Ask questions. Do your research. And trust your instincts.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach – but staying informed and intentional allows you to find gallery relationships that truly help your career flourish.