professional practice

Gallery types and workshops

- Art dealers - These represent artists and exhibit their work in either group or solo shows. They are incredibly influential, so much so that they pick and choose who they want to work with. The high end capitalist side of the art world. Places like The Gagosian, The Lisson Gallery etc...

- Commercial galleries - Sell work on behalf of the artists. Still quite the high end of art galleries but more approachable for upcoming artist. Places like Transition gallery 

- Hire spaces - Bookable spaces run by both artists and commercial organisations as artists pay to hire the space or pay a fee to be included in a gallery show. Good for establishing CV and gallery experience but not always the best for selling work. Places like the Surface gallery, Brick lane etc...

-Artist run galleries- These galleries are less about selling work and more about showing work. A good opportunity to gain credibility and experience. Can be run by both paid and volunteer workers. They can be hired for show and are approachable for upcoming artists. Places like Backlit, Bloc etc..

-Major collections- Funded by major donors, A good place to look at works but not approachable in getting work in them. Places like Guggenheim, Tate galleries etc...

- Regional flagship galleries - Showing work in places like these tend to be invite only decided by there team they are very big within communities and the public. Slightly approachable for holding workshops and such. A good place for artists to work. Places like Nottingham contemporary 

-Main regional Galleries and Museums- Either run by trusts or publicly funded by local councils and such. They have main collections of art but also sometimes have gallery shows. A good place for artists to work. Places like Nottingham castle 

-Arts centres- Multipurpose places that tend to be very flexible in the type of work they show. Not really a place to sell work but good for audience outreach. Places like BAC London

-University galleries- These show curated public exhibitions. They provide a cultural focus for the institution and its community. These again are not really a place for selling work but do hold credibility for upcoming artists. More conservative in what's shown. Places like lakeside gallery, Bonington gallery etc...

-Pubs, Cafe's, Library's - Good starter places and good for the odd sale. 

-Open studios - Organised events to open up workspaces to visitors. Good for public outreach

-DIY venues and pop up shows - You can sometimes use empty shops and spaces to take over for an exhibition. People like DIY culture and can be good for some to kickstart careers but you have to be aware of the economics. 

-Workshops- Workshops are a good way to work with different groups and communities, they are good for skill sharing. Need to make sure your covered with things like risk assessments and depending where and who your working with you may need things like DBS checks. Could do workshops in places like nursing homes, schools, centres or events. 

Obviously it would be amazing to become an artist that was getting in to the high status galleries with art dealers and such and I guess its not impossible but its not realistic either. Its more than possible to get work into certain galleries, we've had a little bit of experience with the opportunities given to us within the course but once out of this course we'll have to navigate finding the opportunities ourselves if that's something we want. It is something I definitely  want, I want to keep pushing with making and creating as far as it will take me and wherever that is but I don't want to put I set goal on a place either. I know that I can find gallery opportunities through artist call outs often on social media platforms, but with this you do have to be mindful about where its from, there is often a fee to submit and some are overpriced or not legit. I guess my own logic for that would be to stick to familiar galleries and places recommended by people you know. I do also like the idea of doing workshops, I find enjoyment in skill sharing but that is something I think I'd need a bit more confidence as I am good with engaging with others but I think I would get nervous leading a group.  Obviously the other way of finding opportunities is just making your own, approaching certain places or doing DIY shows I do think you do have to be more clear on your terms and legality things when doing it this way just to make sure if something goes wrong you'll be ok.