NYC - how do galleries work with artists?

As a professional artist you know the importance of representation by a well established gallery, particularly in New York City . You may also be aware that there are many ways in which galleries function as businesses both in the US and elsewhere. In the New York art scene specifically, galleries work with artists in one of the following three ways: 

1. Commission based galleries generally charge a 50 - 60% commission of the selling price of the artwork. The artists that these galleries represent are well established, have a proven track record of sales, and these artists usually already have an established collector base in the Metropolitan area as well as nationally and internationally. These galleries provide advertising, promotion and exhibitions.

2. Co-Op galleries generally charge the artist a monthly fee and provide a listing in a local art publication announcing the exhibition. For the most part, the artist has the responsibility of producing their own promotional material and is often required to participate by "sitting in the gallery". Many of these galleries also collect a commission from the sale of artwork. Exposure and promotion is often limited to the listing, and little to no online exposure is provided.

3. Representational galleries, such as Agora Gallery, provide both emerging and established artists with annual representation. Galleries working in this format provide a range and degree of services.

Agora Gallery has been part of the New York art scene since 1984 and is well established in the New York and international art markets. The gallery provides a written agreement detailing the services that it renders to the artists.

Agora Gallery provides a comprehensive promotional package and artists who accept representation are required to pay a representation fee for the advertising and promotion services provided by the Gallery. The level of promotion is high and includes: magazine listings, display advertisements, press releases, postcards, art marketing, targeted client presentations, personalized PR efforts, museum submissions, online announcements, participation in a collective exhibition with an opening reception and online representation on the two gallery web sites. The gallery's sites are two of the highest ranking art web sites on the Internet today. The commission structure on the sale of art is 70% for the artist and 30% for the gallery.

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