How to Open an Art Gallery

Business Overview:
If you are an art lover wanting the freedom of owning your own business, finding out how to open an art gallery could be the answer you’ve been looking for. Not only is opening an art gallery a prestigious business idea, it could make you quite a bit of money if you position yourself and your art properly. There are many ways to go about opening an art gallery so it’s important to have a solid art gallery business plan to help you focus your efforts. You need to decide where your gallery will be located, what type of art you will feature, what your price points will be, whether you will sell on commission and much more. If you are an artist yourself, owning your own gallery is the perfect way to showcase your own pieces. You can host exhibitions at your gallery to draw attention to your art. You also have the opportunity to introduce new talented artists to the community. Surprisingly, even in an uncertain economy, art is still a popular commodity. Some art dealers are making as much as $2 million a year. As you can see, there is quite the market for all types of art and all types of galleries. You can focus on only local artists or import art from all over the world. Your galas could be small, intimate affairs or grand events attended by the local glitterati. The key to having a successful art gallery is finding your niche and attracting repeat business.

A Day in the Life of a Art Gallery Owner:
Your day will begin with a check of any pieces that are set to arrive at your gallery. You will need to find places on your walls for new pieces and confirm with the artists that the pieces arrived safely. You will spend a portion of your day contacting artists asking them to showcase their art at your gallery. You will interact with potential clients perusing your exhibits. You will need to meet regularly with any staff you have to make sure they are aware of any new pieces and have them adjust art placement if needed. Finally you will spend some time looking at your finances to ensure everything is in order.
About Your Customers:
Your customers will be art lovers looking for a piece for themselves or as a gift for someone else.
What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Marketing plan
• Gallery location
• Art
• Proper lighting
• Staff
• Computer with finance software
• Knowledge of the art community
• Love of art

The Good:

• For an art lover, getting to spend your days in a gallery would be a dream come true.
• If you are an artist, you can showcase your own art.
• You can sell art that you enjoy.
• Art lovers will pay hefty prices for particular pieces.
• If you have a good staff in place, you can come and go as you please.
• Helping art lovers find the perfect piece for them is very rewarding.

The Bad:

• Opening an art gallery is a big investment.
• It could take some time to make your first few sales.

Resources:

• Fine Art Dealers Association
• Art Dealers Association of America
• Private Art Dealers Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Artists and Related Workers
• Wikipedia on Art Galleries