What art galleries exist for emerging artists in major cities?
May 28, 2013 6:06 AM Subscribe
I'm searching for art galleries in major cities (such as London, New York, Seattle, Dubai, etc) that are friendly to emerging artists, and are likely to take take 1 - 2 pieces in a group show. My goal here (similar to my last ask mefi question) is to get some exhibition credits in major cities, as crass as that sounds.
Are there any suggestions you have, or specific search keywords I should be looking for?
There are a ton of galleries in Philly, but I don't know the curatorial practices of any of them. If you search for those in "Old City, Philadelphia," you're likely to find some that get a lot of foot-traffic and tend to turn over monthly, even if they're not the most presigious by some other measure.
posted by acm at 9:11 AM on May 28, 2013
posted by acm at 9:11 AM on May 28, 2013
Since you're a photographer, you should note that galleries in New York, and probably in other cities, tend to either show exclusively photography or do not show photography at all (at least, not from emerging artists). You will have more luck if you search for "photography gallery" in each city. You can also browse galleries in each city that list themselves on Artnet--not all galleries do this, but when I worked at a gallery that showed emerging artists, we did.
There's no good way to know which galleries will be open to emerging artists and which won't, though if a gallery only has well-known names on their artist list, it's a tipoff that it's probably not what you're looking for. Sometimes non-profit galleries are more open to emerging artists than for-profit galleries, so that is another search term to use.
Once you have a list of galleries in each city that shows photography, you've just got to do the legwork for each one -- look at their current artists and see if you work is similar enough to appeal to the same clientele, but different enough to give the gallery something new. Check their submission policy -- IF they accept submissions, do they want a CD, slides, emails? You might have to do a lot of cold calls, asking (very nicely!) if they accept submissions and how they prefer to receive them. When you call, you can also ask if they have any upcoming group shows that you might be considered for.
You should also search long and hard for juried exhibitions and calls for entries, paying special attention to those that refer to photography. CAA lists many, as does NYFA. Be wary of any call for entries with very high application fees, though many have at least nominal application fees. Follow all instructions and deadlines religiously.
There are no shortcuts here, unfortunately...if there were an easy way to get your art shown in galleries in major cities, someone probably would have discovered it by now.
posted by LeeLanded at 11:14 AM on May 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
There's no good way to know which galleries will be open to emerging artists and which won't, though if a gallery only has well-known names on their artist list, it's a tipoff that it's probably not what you're looking for. Sometimes non-profit galleries are more open to emerging artists than for-profit galleries, so that is another search term to use.
Once you have a list of galleries in each city that shows photography, you've just got to do the legwork for each one -- look at their current artists and see if you work is similar enough to appeal to the same clientele, but different enough to give the gallery something new. Check their submission policy -- IF they accept submissions, do they want a CD, slides, emails? You might have to do a lot of cold calls, asking (very nicely!) if they accept submissions and how they prefer to receive them. When you call, you can also ask if they have any upcoming group shows that you might be considered for.
You should also search long and hard for juried exhibitions and calls for entries, paying special attention to those that refer to photography. CAA lists many, as does NYFA. Be wary of any call for entries with very high application fees, though many have at least nominal application fees. Follow all instructions and deadlines religiously.
There are no shortcuts here, unfortunately...if there were an easy way to get your art shown in galleries in major cities, someone probably would have discovered it by now.
posted by LeeLanded at 11:14 AM on May 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
A consultant may be able to do the research and legwork for you if you don't know how.
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 11:31 AM on May 28, 2013
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 11:31 AM on May 28, 2013
post a link to your stuff, so I know what to suggest.
I could help out with Amsterdam, New York City, etc.
posted by ahtlast93 at 12:28 PM on May 28, 2013
I could help out with Amsterdam, New York City, etc.
posted by ahtlast93 at 12:28 PM on May 28, 2013
Response by poster: Ack, and right when I ask the question life rips me in the other direction. Many thanks for the replies on this, it helps point me in the right direction.
posted by felspar at 3:51 PM on June 13, 2013
posted by felspar at 3:51 PM on June 13, 2013
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I looked a little for an ASA site and didn't see one, but info is out there.......
With DIFC, search for Gate Village and Art Night.
posted by ambient2 at 7:06 AM on May 28, 2013