How to start a gallery for future gallery owners

How to Start an Art Gallery Business

• How to create a business plan for your art gallery

• Deciding what kind of art gallery to open

• An overview of options for your art gallery business:

• Buying an existing art gallery (including how to find art galleries and art stores for sale)

• Buying a retail art franchise

• Opening a new art gallery

• Choosing a name for your art gallery

• Where to get start-up financing for your art gallery business

• Information about important business matters including insurance and whether you should incorporate

• How much space (square footage) you need to open your art gallery

• What to consider when choosing a location for your art gallery, including information about permits and leases

• Interior and exterior design of your art gallery

• Equipment and supplies you need to start an art gallery business and where to get them

• How to get inventory for your art gallery including information on:

• How to attract artists to sell through your gallery

• Obtaining artwork on consignment

• Typical commissions paid for artwork sold through galleries

• How to buy limited edition artwork from popular collectible artists at wholesale discounted prices

Managing Your Art Gallery

• How to develop effective systems for running your art gallery business on a daily basis

• How to set your prices (plus ways to increase the perceived value of a piece so you can sell it for a higher price)

• Accepting payments from customers

• Art gallery theft prevention techniques

• Computer software that can help you manage your art inventory

• Ways to attract visitors to your art gallery through advertising and low cost publicity

• Organizing events at your art gallery

• Creating a website to sell artwork locally and internationally

• Increasing sales with effective customer relations, including:

• How to talk with educated art collectors

• Handling difficult customers

• How to get repeat business

• How to find and hire great art gallery employees

• Other services you can offer through your art gallery to increase your income, including:

• Art appraisals

• Framing art

• Renting space

Ways to promote:

• Internet website

• Flyers

• Local events

• Newspaper

• Cards

• Merchandise

• Set up free listing for business in search engine like google, bing

• Set up a social networking site

• Talk to vendors and artists, maybe collaborate

• Expose your work through a local gallery

• Attend meetings of professional groups, or receptions

• Pay for membership in groups

• Radio station

• Write an article and send it to a magazine

• Contact nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, and others who may need your services

• Speak

• Give demonstrations

• Make a video

• Find programs to help you financially

• Send out sales letters

• Drive a vehicle that has your business, contact info painted on it

• Call businesses and introduce yourself

• Give out samples of work

• Run a contest

Hope this helps!