An Insider's Guide to Gallery Success
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Course Overview
Introduction to Byre Gallery
What Galleries Can Do For You
Get Gallery Ready
Your Story
The tools to help you to sell your story
Artist statement tip sheet
Example artist statement
Finding the right galleries for you
“Not only has Elaine thought carefully about what we need to know and how best to present this to a range of artists, she does so with generosity and kindness, sharing her knowledge to really personalise the experience. Highly recommended.”
SP, ceramicist“I took Elaine's online course as I felt I was ready to start exhibiting in galleries. Elaine explained exactly what to do and what not to do, what galleries want and more importantly what they don't want. While I am a reasonably confident artist, I still had a few insecurities about approaching galleries and wanted to make sure I had all things covered before I took the plunge. And who better to show me than a gallery owner herself! I'd definitely recommend this course - you will feel so much more confident to go for it.”
SS, visual artist“Thanks Elaine for putting together a really useful and productive course. It has given me a list of "to-do's" to work through to prepare myself for the approaches and follow-through.”
AB, visual artist“Elaine has designed and written an online course with the same care and attention that she gives her physical artists. The content is comprehensive and truly insightful. The pointers were clear and concise with excellent reasoning behind them, which was evident in the Q&A session. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this course to any maker or artist who is looking to approach galleries with their work”
VM, jewellery designerApproaching a gallery to represent your work can be a daunting experience, but my step-by-step guide takes you through everything you need to know and do to get you ready to approach and sell your creative work in galleries.
In ten years as a gallery director and creative business coach and mentor, I've seen what makes artists and makers really stand out. Now I want to share my experience of how YOU can make impact in your approaches to galleries, and reveal my tips to make YOU an artist or a maker that galleries really want to work with.
WHY WORK WITH GALLERIES?
There are now so many ways to get your wonderful creative work to potential and eager buyers - so why work with galleries? I'll share my view of what galleries can offer you and what you should expect in return.
By the end of this module you will understand the benefits of going into a business relationship with a gallery; how galleries decide on the makers and artists to show; what selling your work through a gallery can do for you; what you can expect a gallery to do to support your work - and potentially develop your career; and what your side of the deal is.
GALLERY READY - YOUR PROFESSIONAL OFFER
Picking the right time in your creative journey to approach galleries is key to success. You need to be confident in your work, know you have enough to it - and be equally confident that you're selling it at the right price.
After this module, you will know how to evaluate when your work is ready to show to a gallery; you will have learned how to price your work at the right level; and know the key business techniques you should have in place to help you make an impressive approach.
GALLERY READY - YOUR DISTINCTIVE STORY
Identifying what makes you and your work distinctive is a vital part in shaping how you share your story and your brand with galleries - and your potential fans and collectors.
By the end of this module you will have identified what makes your work individual and unique to you; you will feel confident knowing that what you are offering a gallery is distinctive to you. You will be ready to share your particular creative journey and offer, and will feel positive about communicating your brand and business.
TOOLBOX
Having the right visuals and written material to illustrate your work to a potential gallery is so important in making a polished approach. In this module I'll take you through what photography you need to make an impact; the key points in writing an effective artist statement; and what your website and social media should share - and shouldn't!
Once you've completed this module you will know the kind of images you need of your work; will know how to write a 'gallery friendly' artist statement, and have learned how to make sure your website and social media help communicate your work and your brand.
MAKING THE APPROACH
The ground work and prep are done, now we're ready to go. In this session I show you how to identify a list of potential galleries that really fit you and your work, and reveal how to craft your pitch to them.
By the end of this module you will be ready to approach galleries! You will have done your detective work to choose galleries which suit you, your work and your brand; you’ve found out how the gallery likes submissions to be made; you’ve created an email approach and you’ve got a template to use to record responses.
THE FEEDBACK
What next? In this final session we'll look at how to react to responses and any feedback you get from galleries; and I'll share my top tips on how to get off to the best start in your gallery relationships.
After you’ve completed this module you will be ready to deal with whatever reaction you get from a gallery. You’ll know how to move forward and how to be the ideal artist and maker for galleries to work with; you’ll be ready for real gallery success.