galerie with tsjalling: Tsjalling Venema

Statement

galerie with tsjalling: is a gallery for contemporary art.

Drawing in all its aspects takes a central place in the gallery program. Other media, like painting, photography and sculpture are also a regular part of the exhibition programme.

Representation of reality (figuration) and narrative are a guidance. The gallery likes to work with ambitious and enthusiastic artists in different stages of their professional career.

The gallery works with circa 15 contracted artists that show on average every 2 years and on art fairs, and with guest artists.

Regular artists (selection)

• Jans Muskee

• Rosa Everts

• Rob Strick

• Oskar Nilsson

Next show ‘Objectives’

What defines a commercial gallery?

An exhibition space that shows and promotes the work of (living) artists.

This is called the ‘primary market’.

Income comes out of sales of the works on show.

Most galleries have a selected group of regular artists, and try to build the carreer of these

artists.

Some galleries also deal in ‘second hand art’.

This called the ‘secundary market’. (also art dealers, auction houses).

What does a gallery do?What does a gallery do?What does a gallery do?What does a gallery do?

• Exhibitions

• Studio visits

• Reflection and substantive support

• Media attention

• Attention from collectors, corporate collectors & museums

• Sales

• Art fairs

• Business support

• Publications

What does the gallery ask from it’s artistsWhat does the gallery ask from it’s artistsWhat does the gallery ask from it’s artistsWhat does the gallery ask from it’s artists

• Commission on sales – mostly 50%

• Exclusivity – you can only sell through this gallery

• 10% if you show outside the gallery

• Sometimes galleries have a contract, but most don’t, so a lot is based on mutual trust.

Cost of running a gallery – one month

exhibition

Rent € 1.500

Electricity etc € 120

Insurance € 60

Adminstation, site etc € 60

Invitations € 250

Opening € 100

Other things € 210

Making up closed time € 350

Total € 2.650

So you have to make

/ 50 % * 100% + 6% taxes € 5.618

Cost of running a gallery – art fair

Subscribing € 150

Booth rent € 4.500

Lights etc € 400

Insurance € 150

Invitations € 250

Postcards, information etc € 200

Transport € 300

Hotel € 500

Food etc € 250

Total € 6.700

So you have to make

/ 50 % * 100% + 6% taxes € 14.204

How to get a gallery show

• Best of graduates show – e.g. with Ron Mandos, galerie Bart, galerie Pouloeuff.

• Find out which gallery you would fit in with. Or which gallery you like,

• Visit galleries and art fairs, get to know the people who run the gallery, but don’t push yourself as an artist,

• Be visible in social media/on the web, and be active,

• Try to get shows in artist run spaces /presention spaces,

• Get connected through an artist / teacher you know,

• If you want to send something, send something special.

Preparing for a show

• Have your work documented, have a text and resume ready,

• Know your prices (pricing after this!)

• Determine how you want your works presented, and let the galleryknow how you want it to be shown in advance.

• Invite your friends and family to the show, they are often your first collectors and you’ll have a good party at the opening!

• Be on time for your opening, talk to everyone.

Pricing

• For 2d work it is quite easy:

length + width * factor

Factor is determined by:

- Type of art work

- The reputation of the artist

Don’t forget about taxes!

Think about discounts!

Make a round, psychological price ( e.g. € 290 instead of € 305)

Keep the price the same in the gallery and in your studio!

Some examples

Work by Esmay Groot Koerkamp

- Just from art school, but in several best of graduate

shows

- Drawings on paper

- Unframed

- Factor 6,5

- 215 x 129 cm * 6,5 = € 2.200

Work by Rosa Everts

- Drawing & collage on photoprint

- Graduated 8 years ago

- About 3-4 shows a year around

The Netherlands

- Factor 10

50 x 70 cm * 10 = € 1.200

With frame € 1.350

Work by Wouter van Riessen

- Working over 20 years

- Many museumshows

- Large private & museum collections

- Painting on canvas

- Factor 22

75 x 40 cm * 22 = € 2.500

Special cases

• Photography – edition, printcosts, regular pricing or ‘American pricing’ ( 1/5 = € 1.000, 2/5 = €1.250, 3/5 = € 1.600, 4/5 = €2.250,5/5 = € 3.000)

• Sculpture – depends on material, edition or unique

• Video – high production costs

• Assignments – something specially made or for a public work

FIRST WORK SOLD!

Getting paid!Sold for you to Mister Person, Groningen

Artwork € 3.000,00

Btw 6% minus € 169,81

_______

Ex BTW € 2.830,19

Commission 50% € 1.415,09

BTW 21% € 297,17

Total -/- € 1.712,26

You get € 1287,74

• You pay € 169,81 taxes, and you get back € 297,17 in taxes = € 127,36 +

€ 1.415,10

Some extra tips

• Use high quality materials (e.g. acid free paper & tape),

• Think about the size of your work: fits in car or standard frames,

• Treat your works with care,

• Know how you want to show your work,

• Have documentation and resume ready and up to date,

• Document what you made and know where it is.

Be prepared for your finals show

• You’re going to meet:

• Galleries,

• Collectors,

• Media,

• Random people.

• Have contact information ready (and your website running),

• Reply to any contact requests,

• Be there as much as possible,

• Know your story and prices,

• Make sure your work works!

Good luck with your first show!