Had a gallery offer last year. Small space, not a bad spot. They wanted 50% and I had to deliver, install, label, and patch the walls on the way out. I told them no. Maybe that's normal now but it didn't sit right.
What's the line for you? What are you willing to do and what makes you walk?
I think you were right to say no.
I've done shows where I handled delivery and installation, that's not unusual for me, actually. I want to control how the work hangs, the spacing, the height. That part matters. And patching holes on the way out is just professional behaviour.
But 50% and you do the labour? That's them wanting the gallery cut without providing what the cut is supposed to cover. The percentage pays for their overhead, their time, their promotion, their space. If they're not handling the install, that's fine, but then the split should reflect what they're actually doing.
The line for me is when the split and the responsibilities don't match. I'll do plenty myself. But not at full commission.
You said it. The percentage is supposed to cover what they bring. If they're not bringing installation, promotion, a real collector list, then what exactly is the 50% for? The wall space itself isn't worth that much.
I've got no problem doing my own install. I'd rather do it myself honestly. But that's labor I'm providing. It has value. If they want me to do their job for them, the split changes. Simple as that.
i think you were right tbh. 50% is already a lot, that's the gallery's cut for bringing the space, the audience, the trust. if they're not even hanging the work or patching the walls after, what's the 50% for exactly?
i get wanting to install yourself if you're particular about it (i am too, i'll drive 3 hours to hang a piece at the right height lol). but delivery AND install AND patch AND 50%? that's them wanting the upside with none of the work.
for me the line is: are they bringing something i can't get alone? if yes, i'll meet them halfway. if they're just a room with a sign, i can find my own room.
yeah the "what's the 50% for exactly" is the whole question. if they're not handling the logistics and they're not bringing buyers, it's basically a room rental with extra steps. and at least with a rental you know the price upfront instead of pretending it's a partnership.
i've turned down a couple like that. never regretted it.
Exactly. A room rental doesn't pretend to be anything else. This was pretending to be a partnership while I did all the work and took all the risk. Glad I walked.
Exactly. The room with a sign part is what got me. If they're bringing collectors who trust their eye, fine, that's worth something. But this place was young, no real following yet. So what am I paying for? The privilege of fixing their walls on my way out.
Install yourself if you want, I get that. But making it a requirement plus patching plus split? That's them shifting their costs onto you and calling it standard.