Types of Art Galleries Some Questions and Answers for Section 2

What is a gallery?  A gallery is a space allocated specifically for the display and exhibition of works of art.  Sometimes galleries are referred to as a “white cube”.  There are four main types of art galleries that operate

‍Private/Commercial Galleries Examples of commercial galleries  A commercial gallery is a space that is owned privately for the purpose of promoting artists to exhibit and sell their work.  Exhibitions are usually for the duration of a month.  The term commercial is used because the gallery is operated like a business. The owners of a commercial gallery aim to make a profit out of the sale of works of art that is; shared with the artist; paid to the owner; and the remainder is reinvested back into the day to day running of the gallery.  There is a range of commercial galleries; they can be small businesses operated by one person to medium sized operations employing curators, administration and support staff to manage the operation of the business, sometimes in multiple venues across the country.  Commercial galleries are ineligible for government funding; however, artists may apply to the government for money to support the development of their work  Typically artist will have a contract with a gallery. In the contract specific terms will be negotiated based upon the sale of their work and how frequently they plan to exhibit.  Gallerists will work hard to support their artists (some galleries will represent more than 40 artists at a time) and invest significant amounts of money and time to take work by artists they represent overseas to Art Fairs such as Basel (Germany), Frieze (London) or Melbourne Art Fair. - Anna Schwartz Gallery Anna Schwartz Gallery, courtesy google images

‍Public/Government/Philanthropic Supported Galleries  A public gallery is a not for profit operation owned and operated for and on behalf of local, state or federal government.  The major source of funding is from a mix of local, state or federal money that is committed to the collection, conservation, presentation and promotion of art in the public interest.  Another source of funding is ‘in-kind’ or through donations or bequests. A major public gallery employs many people to manage the daily operation and delivery of its exhibitions and programs.  There is typically a large staff that cover diverse areas including; administration, exhibitions, education and public programs, development and marketing, media, design and publication, retail, visitor services, exhibition design and installation, conservation and preservation, and security.  The aim of the public gallery is to provide access to many people and groups within the community.  A public gallery supports this aim through their public and education programs.  The public gallery aims to collect a diverse range of art. The major public galleries will present exhibitions in a variety of art forms by an array of artists from an assortment of time periods. National Gallery of Victoria, courtesy of Google images.

‍University based Galleries  Ian Potter Museum of Art (University of Melbourne)  Monash University Museum of Art (Monash University)  RMIT Gallery (RMIT)  Victoria University Gallery (Victoria Monash University Museum of Art, courtesy Google images.

‍Artist Run Spaces - Dear Patti Smith - Blindside Kings - 69 Smith Street - Trocadero - West Wing (West Melbourne Central)

‍How do I compare the role of public galleries, commercial galleries and other art spaces?  Definition of terms:  With reference to exhibition spaces, the word ‘role’ refers to the usual or customary function of the art gallery or exhibition space, such as a public, private, community or university gallery space. The characteristics of each space refer not to the artworks on display but to the space itself. The common roles of a gallery space include the:  Exhibition of artworks, either from the gallery’s own collection, and/or works borrowed from other galleries, artists or private collections  Development of collections through acquisition of artworks  Maintenance of collections via conservation  Promotion of the gallery and its collections via education and public programs such as guided floor talks, seminars and lectures, and websites

COMPARISON  To compare the role of public galleries, commercial galleries and other art spaces you need to respond to the following as appropriate:  Aims: focus, mission and vision  Collections: themes, forms, documentation and access  Conservation: temperature, lighting, storage and restorative practices  Exhibitions: research, design, installation and presentation  Promotion: advertising, marketing and media  Staffing: Executive and Financial Management, Curatorial, Education, Marketing, Conservation and Invigilation.

PUBLIC GALLERIES  Public Art Galleries A public gallery is an art gallery or art space that is owned, conducted or managed on behalf of the public. Public galleries have three main roles; to collect, present and conserve historical and contemporary art. These galleries are largely funded by the government using public taxes, and are accountable to the taxpayers of the nation as well as funds from donations, grants, bequests and sponsorships. In Australia this refers to galleries owned by: federal government e.g., Australian National Gallery, Canberra state governments e.g., National Gallery of Victoria local governments - regional galleries are those located in regional locations or the suburbs of the capital cities e.g. Geelong Art Gallery  Public contemporary art organizations In Melbourne there are a range of public contemporary art organisations such as: The Ian Potter Museum of Art (The University of Melbourne)  Not all public galleries have their own art collections. Commission local and international artists to make new works of art ambitious in concept and scale Present major survey exhibitions by significant local and international artists rarely seen in Australia Promote education and discourse around new developments in contemporary art practice.

COMMERCIAL GALLERIES The role of a commercial gallery is to:  Provide a space for gallery artists to show and sell their work  Sell works of art to generate an income for the artist and profit for the gallery  Promote gallery artists to collectors, curators and the public through participation in art fairs  Market the work of gallery artists through the media

ARTIST RUN GALLERIES Artist Run Galleries are independent contemporary arts spaces committed to supporting and promoting contemporary art practice primarily by emerging artists. Artist Run Galleries are managed by a group of people, usually artists, to present a program of exhibitions, screenings, events and workshops. Artist Run Galleries support the development of a thriving arts community to encourage artistic experimentation, innovation and critical dialogue. Artist Run Galleries present exhibitions that feature the work of emerging and established artists. Artists who wish to exhibit in Artist Run Galleries need to submit a proposal for a panel to consider. Artist Runs Galleries maintain a framework of professional development, assisting and mentoring emerging artists, curators and writers toward refining their skills and practice. Artist Run Galleries seek to promote exchanges between local and interstate artists and support collaboration and practices that are commonly underrepresented in commercial and public art galleries. Artist Run Spaces are not-for-profit and seek support to keep exhibition programs running. Artists usually need to pay rent for the space they exhibit in. Volunteers often staff Artist Run Galleries. Artist Run Galleries are funded by donations and local and federal government grants and are often transient in location.

The role of an Artist Run Gallery is to: Support and promote contemporary art practice by emerging artists, curators and writers Assist and mentor emerging artists, curators and writers to refine their skills and practice Provide spaces for art practices that are commonly underrepresented in commercial and public art galleries

‍Links to gallery websites Art Almanac Australian Centre of Contemporary Art (ACCA) National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Centre for Contemporary Photography Heide Museum of Modern Art Ian Potter Museum (The University of Melbourne) Margaret Lawrence Gallery (Victorian College of the Arts, School of Art)