Exhibitions take a huge amount of time and effort to secure and organise. Think strategically about exhibiting so you get what you need from the process.
Ask yourself why you want to exhibit now and what you want to get out it.
Why exhibit your work?
Benefits of exhibiting include
- An opportunity and motivator to make new work
- potential commissioning or exhibiting fees
- Introducing new audiences to your work
- Meeting artists and curators
- Builds your professional reputation
- A chance to sell work
- One exhibition opportunity can lead to another
Thinking about the above can you help you establish what kind of space you might want to show in.
What sort of show? What kind of space?
Depending on what you want to get out of exhibiting, will impact on the kind of show you look to take part in. It will also influence the type of space you look to secure. For example, to grow your network, a group show with lots of other artists could be great.
You can’t always get the kinds of exhibitions you want when you want them. It’s still important to understand what the opportunities that do come your way can bring.
How to get an exhibition
Ways of getting exhibitions include:
- Applying to open calls
- Building relationships with spaces over time
- Organising your own exhibitions or participating in artist led shows
Be aware though that you can achieve much of the above with self-initiated shows.
Good working relationships
Every exhibition you take part in, be it a show in a gallery or one organised by peers is a collaboration.
- Establish who is doing what and when to realise and promote the show
- Agree this in writing with a contract or an email at the very least
- Do what you’ve committed to. Communicate if circumstances change and you can’t do what you’ve agreed to.
Having things in writing reduces the chance of misunderstands. It means everyone is clearer on what’s expected of them. This leads to harmonious working relationships. If you are good to work with, you’re more likely to be recommended for future opportunities.
Before the show
- Ensure you have a contract with the space your exhibiting in
- Promote the exhibition. Look at our resources on promoting your work and projects.
- Research and invite galleries you want build relationships with in the future. Invite them to the private view.
At the private view
- Have an elevator pitch prepared about your work so you’re not stumped if someone asks you about your work
- Bring your artists business cards
- Be open and friendly with everyone
- Ensure a price list is ready
During the show
- Keep promoting the show
- Follow up with people who you wanted to come but couldn’t make the private view. Offer then a personal tour of the exhibition.
- Host talks, events and panel discussions during the exhibition run. These can be a great way of getting people through the door.
After the show
- Follow up with people thanking those that came to the show
- Ensure the show is well documented. Share documentation with those that couldn’t make it.
- Collect press cuttings
- Update your CV
Laura Buckley talks below about how to maximise on the opportunities of exhibiting.
Watch our ArtlawTV interview with Rene Gimpel from Gimpel Fils. In it he talks about what to expect from the relationship between galleries and artists.
For more information on working with galleries, and what to expect from the relationship between galleries and artists, watch our ArtlawTV interview with Rene Gimpel from Gimpel Fils.
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