Gallery percentage?

[Kimberly Dow]

Terri,

Galleries get (usually) 50% on sales, but in my limited experience you can get them much lower on a portrait commission. The smaller ones I have dealt with didnt usually do this sort of thing - so I brought it up and said that I'd be happy to give them 10% if the client hears about me from them - or they give them one of my cards. I'm sure this is lower than a bigger gallery would want, but it worked for me in these particular places!

[Terri Ficenec]

Thanks Kim! 10% sounds much better, doesn't it?

[Sharon Knettell]

www.copleysociety.org

Terry, they have a portrait division. It is a society that you have to be juried into in Boston. It costs about $35 for the application process. The dues are $125 a year and the DO get you commissions. It is 30%.

The Vose Gallery (www.vosegalleries.com) in Boston also represents portrait artists, but you have to be very established. They take 30% also and are exceedingly old school and gentlemanly to deal with. Their stationery is genuine engraving. WHOO WHOO!

[Terri Ficenec]

Sharon-

The Copley society looks like it might be interesting once I've got more of a portfolio (and slides! ) to submit -- and a bit more courage, I guess. Someday...

Thanks!

[Jane Bradley]

Originally Posted by Kimberly Dow

Terri,

Galleries get (usually) 50% on sales, but in my limited experience you can get them much lower on a portrait commission. The smaller ones I have dealt with didnt usually do this sort of thing - so I brought it up and said that I'd be happy to give them 10% if the client hears about me from them - or they give them one of my cards. I'm sure this is lower than a bigger gallery would want, but it worked for me in these particular places!

Why would a gallery charge less for a portrait commission than their usual rate?

[Kimberly Dow]

Because they do not have to take up wall space for the painting since it is a commission (unless they are just displaying one example of an artists work) and they do not have to sell it, negotiate it, etc. In my experience the galleries I have dealt with have done nothing more than pass along my information - then trusted me to pass along their percentage. I dont think most galleries want to get into the commission business, but if you make it easy by allowing them to just hand out your card if someone inquires about a portrait - then they make a little bit and you get mentioned to someone who has specifically asked about your product.