Art in America is now big business, with hundreds of galleries across the country from the largest cities to the smallest villages reflecting the public's increased appreciation and awareness. Based on the author's own successful experiences as a gallery owner, this book provides specific guidelines for opening and managing a small to medium-sized art gallery. With step-by-step instructions and concrete examples and illustrations, Gallery Management tells how to find the proper location: how to decorate, furnish, and light the gallery; how to acquire inventory; how to arrange contracts; how to purchase insurance and transportation for art work; how to keep business records and accounts; how to get publicity; how to stage shows; and how to appraise and frame. (Book jacket)

Let me make clear the type of gallery situation at which this book is aimed. I address myself especially to the potential director who plans to open a gallery in a medium-to-small-size city or town. And as a corollary to this condition, I also have in mind a gallery that deals in art within a price range not exceeding $1,500. This type of gallery can perform a fine service by bringing art to the average person in the community who might otherwise never have had an opportunity for exposure to the delights and pleasures of owning fine art. Such galleries actually serve as educational tools in their communities; as a result, both the gallery and the client benefit (incidentally, many art galleries have been known to move beyond the $1,500 price range once they have gained the confidence of their clients). In the process, many clients come to realize that an honest, reliable art dealer can be a most important vehicle for assisting them in building a fine art collection. (p. 12-13).

CONTENTS
Preface.
Introduction.

  1. Location.
  2. Decorating, furnishing, lighting.
  3. Acquiring inventory.
  4. Contractual arrangements.
  5. Insurance, transportation, contracts.
  6. Record-keeping.
  7. Publicity.
  8. Shows.
  9. Shows outside the gallery.
10. Appraising and framing.

Art in America is now big business, with hundreds of galleries across the country from the largest cities to the smallest villages reflecting the public's increased appreciation and awareness. Based on the author's own successful experiences as a gallery owner, this book provides specific guidelines for opening and managing a small to medium-sized art gallery.