Leah Sandals in her excellent blog unedit my heart, commented on this very topic in her post last Saturday, July 11, 2009 Movin' Right Along: Toronto Galleries Shuttered or Shifted So Far .... Edward Winkleman a New York gallerist released his new book, How to Start and Run a Commercial Art Gallery yesterday. Winkleman's blog is a must-read for anyone interested in the contemporary art world, art galleries, and the New York art scene. He has posted three particularly interesting entries lately that deal with the topic at hand, yesterday's post It's Ali-i-i-i-ve!!!, last Thursday's entry Dealers of the World: Unite or Perish?
and one last Tuesday The Joy of the Physical Space vs. Rent: Open Thread.
Sandals starts her post pondering why Toronto has lost so many galleries this past year. As she states: "Blame the recession, poor management, boredom, or a combination of all three." The gallery business is hard. Really hard! But it can also be interesting, exciting and rewarding if you can stick it out. I think the reason so many galleries are closing, or changing is a combination of complex factors, and in a small percentage of cases it could be poor management or boredom - but in most cases I would doubt this is the case.
Galleries are unlike many other small businesses. It is not a matter of painting the walls white, installing great lighting, hanging art and opening the doors. Most people don't need art, and they rarely buy art on impulse. Okay some people do, but for the most part, galleries can not survive on walk-by or walk-in traffic. Art sales are based on relationships and networks. Relationships and networks that can take years to establish.
I remember talking to a prominent gallerist in Santa Fe just after I finished my art history degree. At that time I was planning on an academic career, but have to admit that somewhere tucked deep at the back of my mind was the thought of having my own gallery. A space where I could curate who and what I wanted. This was during the recession of the early 90's but I remember him telling me that you have to prepare to lose money for at least 7 years. Seven years with no real income is a long time!
Art galleries are expensive. It is difficult to find a decent retail space in Toronto for under $3000 a month. So, saying the gallery takes a 50% commission, that means they need to sell $6000 worth of art a month just to cover the rent. But then there is insurance, utililties, phone & internet, financial service charges, alarm fees, and taxes. In order to mount a show the gallery has to paint or at least patch and touch up the walls, print and mail invitations, host an opening reception, etc. In addition, galleries will often front framing or shipping costs for artists that can not afford them. And we have not even talked about a salary or personal income yet.
The recent recession has hurt a lot of businesses. Art is still viewed as a luxury purchase. I know my sales are significantly down from last year, as people make choices about what they want and can spend their disposable income on. As a gallerist you try to adjust but what exactly are we adjusting too?
Toronto has a lot of galleries and I am saddened every time I hear of another one closing. However, maybe it is time for us to re-think the old gallery model. In the past, artists felt they needed us more than they do now. Now artists can have their own blogs and websites. Live/work artists studios are once again becoming popular and much more accessible to the public. Numerous venues exist where artists can sell their work directly to the public, and many artists choose to do this. Art Fairs have also become the new marketplace for buying art. A place where the experienced or novice collector can see a vast array of artwork from galleries around the world over the course of an afternoon, day or weekend.
Brayham Contemporary ArtOriginal storefront space
Installation: Place | Mind | Spirit : Susan Moldenhauer
June 2007
I have always loved the bricks and mortar gallery. A place where I can see, contemplate and purchase art. I love that each gallery has a unique stable of artists, that each gallery looks and feels different. However, I think we need to start thinking outside the "white box." As gallerists and the art viewing public we need to be open to new ways and approaches to experience, view and buy art.
Brayham Contemporary Art1318 Queen St East Toronto, ON
Svava Juliusson & Lauri Lynnxe Murphy
June 2009
I love the idea of a clean white industrial box, however, I have also always loved the intimacy of the art galleries located in old adobe homes along Canyon Road in Santa Fe. There was something captivating and somewhat mysterious about knowing that the dealer lived upstairs, or behind the gallery. The idea that the kitchen which was used for openings, was also used to cook family dinners. It made the art gallery experience more personal, more intimate, more familiar and less threatening.
While I could not replicate the feel of Canyon Road on Queen St East, I could break from the traditional look and feel of Toronto galleries, and convert the main floor of our home into an intimate and I hope elegant gallery space. As we were also in the process of landscaping our backyard, we decided to design it so that it would work as an entertaining space for openings and also work for sculpture exhibitions.
Brayham Contemporary Art1318 Queen St East Toronto, ON
Betty Kaser & Mary McKenzie
June 19 - August 15, 2009
Brayham Contemporary Art1318 Queen St East, Toronto, ON
Mary McKenzie, Garden Installation
June 19 - August 15, 2009
Being a gallerist is never boring, if anything it is all consuming. Like most business owners, I have made my share of bad or sometimes poor business decisions, however, I would hate to blame the recent demise of so many galleries on poor management. I think the recession combined with high rent and overhead and having to endure months of non-existent sales can test the patience and resolve of any business owner, with gallerists being no exception.
Artists, gallerists and the art viewing and buying public need to be open to and embrace the changes in the art marketplace and the economy. New galleries are going to open and sadly some galleries are going to close. I for one, hope that gallerists are open to trying whatever it is they need to do to survive. If that means moving to an uncharted or developing neighbourhood (Leslieville perhaps?), converting part of your home, sharing space with a compatible business, or roving around town - galleries will need to be as creative and experimental as the artists we represent.
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