New York Galleries and vanity exhibitions

[Jayst84]

Hi all. I had an email today from Artifact Gallery in New York offering to talk about having a show.

Now, I've had plenty of those bulk emails in the past, "hey do you want a show in New York?! Just pay us $3k up front and we'll talk". But this one says, "There is no charge for an exhibition space. During a three-week solo show the gallery covers essential expenses related to its space, installation, infrastructure, printing and mailing of invitations and an opening reception." Which is closer to how a 'real' gallery would work.

There's nothing specific in the email referring to my work - beyond,

"Dear James,
Greetings from New York! Recently, we were familiarized with your artwork. After reviewing it online, we would like to discuss with you an opportunity of a possible solo exhibition."

so I'm assuming it's a generic bulk email.

Anyone had similar? Anyone come across the gallery before?

Cheers,
James

EDIT: A bit more Googling seems to suggest they try to get you on extras to promote it. Like printing catalogues, paying for reviews, etc.

 

[Pookeyhead]

Which is closer to how a 'real' gallery would work.

It's rare a gallery will pay anything... unless you're incredibly well known. Normally you would foot the bill for pretty much everything. That's how they make money. Most galleries are free to enter... so the only way they make money is by renting the space.

At some point in their process you'll get hit with costs.

This is almost certainly spam.

 

[Jayst84]

It's rare a gallery will pay anything... unless you're incredibly well known. Normally you would foot the bill for pretty much everything. That's how they make money. Most galleries are free to enter... so the only way they make money is by renting the space.

At some point in their process you'll get hit with costs.

This is almost certainly spam.

Yea it is spam. Just made a slightly better effort at delaying the 'sting' than some of the others.

Wasn't suggesting anything about being paid. Though I know plenty of galleries and photographers who exhibit - where money doesn't change hands for renting the space. They run on the commissions (and I assume hiring out the space for functions, and other things).

 

[Pookeyhead]

Galleries in Australia must fund themselves very differently than over here then

 

[jerry12953]

Don't know anything about galleries in the US but here in sunny Wales publicly funded galleries do not charge a rental fee and, in fact, one expects to receive an exhibition fee from many galleries. These galleries will receive funding from the Arts Council to put on exhibitions, and it is accepted that the exhibitor should receive a payment. The gallery acts as an agent for the Arts Council. It's not a huge amount, though, and in no way reflects the costs of preparing work for showing.

Private galleries are a different matter. They need to make income from sales and possibly rental fees as well.

Use of the term "vanity exhibitions" in the thread title is an interesting one. In what sense is an exhibition NOT a vanity project, I wonder?