Gallery Commission and Contract Terms

[ktlindsay]

I know that some artists here have had very successful experiences of exhibiting and selling their work and I wonder if you could give me a bit of advice.

I have been approached by a Gallery (online that also does "pop-up" physical exhibitions) that wishes "exclusively" represent 10 of my works for two years. For each work they want to do a run of 50 prints and when sold take 80% in commission. I would be responsible for the framing, mounting and printing costs. For the price they have valued my work I would only end up with about £45 profit after these costs.

I am very wary about these terms of contract but I have absolutely no idea what is normal and acceptable for this type of thing. I dream of being an established fine art photographer but would something like this actually hinder me? Are these terms unreasonable? I am also concerned about the work involved in producing the sold prints - so far when I've sold prints I've mounted and framed everything myself but that is quite time consuming. I had a baby 9 weeks ago and I simply have no time and don't want any stress. By expecting me to do this doe they actually value me as an artist?

Would really value your opinion.

[OsmosisStudios]

They get 80%? Hardly.

[candleman]

i've never done a gallery showing.. and if thats the norm... i never will

those terms sound very unreasonable IMHO

[MattG]

Originally Posted by ktlindsay

For each work they want to do a run of 50 prints and when sold take 80% in commission. I would be responsible for the framing, mounting and printing costs. For the price they have valued my work I would only end up with about £45 profit after these costs.

Do they only pay you on the sale of a print? If so, then you may have to factor in that a certain number will not be sold, so a realistic profit may turn out to be less that the £45 per print you mention. Even if 50 are sold over 2 years, this is only £2,250 profit in total.

Flip this around and say that the actual price on the print is £350, then the company pocket £280 per print with NO inventory cost. Their sole cost is the setup and sale of these exhibitions. That is a great deal for them. Especially if they have little to no cost in this area, for example setting up a temporary exhibit in a business high rise foyer.

I can't speak from photography experience as to whether this is normal, but I suspect not. Another factor to think about here is whether they can discount the price on the sale of print; if so, then do you get a fixed amount or still just a percentage of the sale value? This could see you out of pocket per print technically if they wipe enough margin out of the product (if we assume your costs are £15, if they sell a print for £70, then they take £56, you get £14 and are out of pocket a £1!

Good luck whichever avenue you take and I wish you all the best in motherhood!

[sk66]

Of what little I know (a few galleries) they generally take 40-60% and you usually provide the artwork. You also set the price (or minimum price you'll accept, they've been known to jack them up). It really isn't that great a deal...
I've heard of (but not experienced) where there can be "small print" where you also pay for "exhibition space" or other nonsense in the deal....And when they set the price, there is probably nothing keeping them from "adjusting" the price later to encourage sales...You could wind up with less than costs....

I've never done a showing myself because of the hassles and crappy terms...But a showing and some profit is kinda cool...just make sure you are VERY clear on the terms.... Anything not in writing can be abused.