02 Sep 2020

Managing an Art Gallery - Online Course by Node Center

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Whether you want to run a small commercial art space or a large international business, gallery management requires a wide spectrum of strategic, administrative and creative skills. The manager is the person in charge of the success of the gallery both in its artistic development and in its financial prosperity. This course offers a practical approach to how a commercial gallery functions and will give you the fundamental knowledge to successfully develop and manage one yourself.

The program delves into the main tasks of a gallery manager and the different aspects of gallery operations. First, we will start with strategies for developing your business identity and explore the relationship between the gallery and its pool of artists. Second, we will analyse the role of marketing and how it can be mobilised for greater success in selling. In the third session, we will go through the core of office organisation including daily administration and maintaining an inventory. Finally, we will focus on the logistical tasks under the manager's supervision: from artwork production to its delivery to the client.

Following this course you will gain a full understanding of what makes a successful and flourishing business. We will also learn from common mistakes so that you can establish a reputable and long-lasting art gallery.

*Video conferences every Wednesday at 3pm Central European Time. Recordings available in case you miss a live session!

-Duration: Sep 23 - Oct 14, 2020
-Enrol before: Sep 18, 2020
-Lecturer: Doris Friedl
-Participation fee: 154 euros

FULL INFORMATION AND ENROLLMENTS:
nodecenter.net/course/gallery-management

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PROGRAM


Week 1: Prospecting, research, artist liaison

Introduction to the program and course overview

Short definition of commercial gallery and examples of different models

Defining the gallery's identity and mission statement

Creating, developing and maintaining a pool of artists
- Choosing the artists: coherence and complementarity
- Building a trustful relationship

Role of the gallery toward its artists
- Support in exhibition planning, museum relation and production
- From representative agent to personal coach
- Determining commission between artist and gallery

Engagement of the artist toward the gallery
- Regular production of artwork
- Response to client's requests
- Exclusivity or priority in the allocation of new works


Week 2: Promotion, marketing and sales

Promoting your artists
- Advocating for institutional exhibitions and project-based opportunities
- Building networks with further galleries and artists

Marketing, publicity and advertising
- Relationship to press
- Online platform and newsletters
- Advertising in art magazines

Public relations and sales
- Setting prices for artists and artworks
- Clients database
- Types of collectors
- Personalized offers
- Art fairs: gaining new markets, cultivating and extending a network


Week 3: Administration, accounting, archive and inventory

Administration: what happens behind the scenes
- Coordination, project management
- Loan and artists' contracts
- Fair planning
- Travel planning
- Staff management

Accounting
- Control of financial resources
- Main tasks of the bookkeeping

Archive
- Collecting and recording exhibitions' documentation: press coverage, visuals, publicity.
- Providing an up-to-date database to press and institutions

Inventory system
- Controlling and documenting location and status of works
- Recording production costs


Week 4: Logistics: from artwork production to client delivery

Production support
- Intermediary between artists and production companies
- Installing the works
- Packaging and crating

Transport
- Art shipping and insurance
- Customs

Storage
- Check-in and check-out system
- Conservation

Client delivery
- Physical delivery
- Set up instructions and maintenance
- Certificate

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CONTACT
www.nodecenter.net
courses@nodecenter.org