Chapter 5: How to Build Long-Term Professional Relationships

Jackie Battenfield writes in the fifth chapter about networking and the responsibilities that come with these networks. She discusses commercial venues: art galleries, private dealers, art advisors, art fairs, and art consultants. Art galleries have a business to run, and their business is to advertise and sell your product. The relationship with your art gallery is very important. As a gallery it is their job to set up shows and reach out to the right people and as an artist, it is your job to have a good relationship with them. This relationship may last over many years so understanding and communication is very important with them. The gallerist helps artists build their careers and the dealer helps sell the artist’s work. To make sure you have a good relationship with the gallery you must know where you can continue previous relationships with art professionals. Commercial galleries are difficult to get into because most work with a handful of artists of many years, but occasionally they bring in new blood. She warns to stay away from ‘vanity galleries’; they charge the artist to show their work and have no need to help the artist after they already have their money. Private Dealers are different from galleries because they do not keep a space for the art work to be shown. They may bring the buyer directly to your studio or conduct work in an office. They are helpful in getting appraisals and insurance. They can be useful because many private dealers are just starting off but in the future they might have a gallery and wish to use you again. Continuing these relationships will help you as an artist in the present and the future.