During the depression, many art galleries were forced to close, and artists had to finance exhibitions out of their own pocket. Following established models of artists collectives in Mexico and the Soviet Union, artists' co-ops were formed to collectively share costs, make exhibition decision, and handle the function of running of the gallery. With the division of labor, artist members had to share responsibility, decision-making, expenses and operation of running the gallery.
A hybrid form exists today, run by artists but surviving on a combination of fees and grants and artists membership fees. Co-op galleries are either nonprofit or for profit, allow artists to interact socially as well as artistically. Collaborations, contacts, networking and friends are produced from affiliation, and is often seen as a temporary forum or a stepping stone to other opportunities. Co-op galleries are most beneficial in smaller communities, where otherwise no opportunity to exhibit work would exist. With the surge of online sales in art, this too is changing.
Becoming a member of an online gallery for a small membership fee is much less expense for the artist, and much smaller work load. The exposure is tremendous by comparison, with visitors coming from around the world. It also offer opportunities for artists who otherwise would never be exposed to the world market to show and sell work. This type of co-operative arrangement should be considered part of an artists over all marketing plan.
A hybrid form exists today, run by artists but surviving on a combination of fees and grants and artists membership fees. Co-op galleries are either nonprofit or for profit, allow artists to interact socially as well as artistically. Collaborations, contacts, networking and friends are produced from affiliation, and is often seen as a temporary forum or a stepping stone to other opportunities. Co-op galleries are most beneficial in smaller communities, where otherwise no opportunity to exhibit work would exist. With the surge of online sales in art, this too is changing.
Becoming a member of an online gallery for a small membership fee is much less expense for the artist, and much smaller work load. The exposure is tremendous by comparison, with visitors coming from around the world. It also offer opportunities for artists who otherwise would never be exposed to the world market to show and sell work. This type of co-operative arrangement should be considered part of an artists over all marketing plan.
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