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What Bad Art Gallery Practices Should Every Artist Be Aware of?

Matt

A black and white painting of an art business.
Bad practices you should be aware of.

As an artist, working with galleries can be an important part of your career. However, not all galleries operate in the same way, and it's important to be aware of bad gallery practices that can harm your career and reputation. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the bad gallery practices that artists should be aware of.

  • Unfair contracts

One of the most common bad gallery practices is unfair contracts. Some galleries may require artists to sign contracts that give the gallery exclusive rights to their work, charge exorbitant fees for exhibition space or promotion, or take a higher percentage of sales than is reasonable. It's important to read contracts carefully, seek legal advice if necessary, and negotiate terms that are fair and equitable.

  • Lack of transparency

Another bad gallery practice is a lack of transparency. Some galleries may be vague or evasive about their sales or marketing strategies, making it difficult for artists to assess the gallery's performance. It's important to ask questions, seek information about the gallery's sales history, and ensure that you have a clear understanding of how the gallery operates.

  • Failure to promote the artist's work

A gallery's primary responsibility is to promote the artist's work and help them reach a wider audience. However, some galleries may fail to promote an artist's work effectively, leaving their pieces unseen by potential buyers. It's important to discuss marketing strategies with the gallery, ensure that your work is displayed prominently, and track your sales to ensure that the gallery is fulfilling its obligations.

  • Lack of communication

Effective communication is key to a successful gallery-artist relationship. However, some galleries may be difficult to reach or unresponsive to artist inquiries. This can be frustrating and harmful to the artist's career. It's important to establish clear lines of communication with the gallery, ensure that they respond promptly to your inquiries, and address any issues or concerns as they arise.

  • Poor exhibition practices

Finally, some galleries may engage in poor exhibition practices that can harm an artist's reputation. This can include displaying work in inappropriate ways, failing to properly label or present the work, or exhibiting work in poorly lit or unattractive spaces. It's important to ensure that your work is displayed in a professional and appropriate manner, and to discuss exhibition practices with the gallery before agreeing to work with them.


Working with galleries can be an important part of an artist's career, but it's important to be aware of bad gallery practices that can harm your reputation and career. By understanding these practices and taking steps to avoid them, you can build successful and rewarding relationships with galleries that will help you achieve your artistic and commercial goals.

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