Ive recently seen lots of posts on Instagram that have been making comment about submission fees to gallery exhibitions and other opportunities for artists.
It’s apparent that a number of gallery opportunities that charge a submission fee exist to make money from artists, rather than support them through exhibition exposure. Fees that come upon acceptance to an exhibition feel far fairer, that there is something concrete in return for the money, however these fees may from the artists point of view represent a high risk in for the opportunity, it may not result in sales or subsequent sales from the exhibition/opportunity presented.
While there has been considerable conversation about how fees like these are often high and a little weighted to the gallery/curators advantage, these opportunities may be the ones that are keeping the gallery business afloat, and with that, future opportunities for artists to show work to a wider or new audience.
On a personal level, as a general rule, I rarely pay a fee to show work, it’s not something that sits altogether comfortably with me. I however do have a few exceptions to my rules.
I have been fortunate to have found a couple of really cool galleries who have supported my work in the past, these small galleries are independently run and have a really positive community feel, its apparent that they are keen to showcase artists and be a hub for a creative community, which I feel is something I really want to support through paying a small fee. Its also good to support back, recognising the value they have had to me through their past support.
Community arts projects and exhibitions are also well worth supporting in my mind. Using my work as a vehicle to do so through a submission, has allowed me to show work, but also feel that I have helped perpetuate a project with a small financial contribution through the submission fee.
Of course I have had, like so many artists , an experience where it’s clear (always in heinsight) that a gallery is willing to take my cash with no intention of showing my work. Where this happens, its is duely noted!
