How to Get Art Dealer Representation
Art dealer presentation is not a guaranteed way of selling your artwork. However with this form of representation you have a professional working for you to promote and sell your artwork to a wider market. These representatives are trained to display, promote and sell artwork in ways that are beneficial to the gallery and to the individual artist.
- Design your portfolio. Add photographs of your artwork into this portfolio with a description and date in which the work was created. These photographs should directly represent the details of your artwork in such a way that they are aesthetically pleasing to prospective art dealers.
- Search MerchantCircle for listings for art dealer representatives in your local area. Type "art dealer representatives" into the search box at the far left of your screen and then type your city and state into the search box at the far right after "IN." Hit ENTER.
- Compile a list of art dealer representatives. Bookmark websites whenever possible.
- Determine the correct method of submitting your portfolio to these art dealer representatives. Within their website is a link for submitting work to the specific art dealer representative. Follow the onscreen instructions for each art dealer representatives that accepts work from new artist.
- Wait for a response. There is not a predetermined amount of time for a response from an art dealer representative. However if a dealer is extremely interested in your work it is possible to receive a response within the first week or two.
- Attend all meetings scheduled with this art dealer representative. Generally, you will meet with each prospective art dealer representative to discuss possible terms of representation.
- Accept offers that are beneficial to you and your art. If the rate in which this art dealer sells art is high and the terms of your contract are acceptable to you then sign the contract to obtain representation.