Ive been contacted by a local reputable gallery about displaying some of my work with them. It's not something I have done before.

Have any of you more experienced artists got any tips on what to ask for when sorting out terms and conditions etc.

Any tips, good and bad experiences I can learn from before I commit myself?

Hi Sue and congratulations, that's recognition for you, sorry can't offer any advice cos I'm new to all this, I live in Nottingham, which gallery is it then me and my wife can view your art.

That's good news Sue, quite an honour to be contacted by a gallery, in my experience it's usually me doing the asking!!

From the the ones I've dealt with and the research I've done online, seems like most galleries have pretty standard T&C which they should be able to provide you with right away. It seems that most often they'll take work for a period of time on a "sale or return" basis ie you still own the artwork and if it doesn't sell after a mutually agreed period you get it back.

If it sells they'll take a commission, the ones I've dealt with take between 30% and 45% but I believe some galleries charge up to 60% (maybe that's in the bigger cities, don't know). The commission works on the selling price so make sure you do your sums right! eg if you want to end up with £150 and it's a 40% commission the selling price needs to be £250.

I've always been very hazy on how VAT works, I'm not registered (well below the threshhold har har ), if the gallery is VAT registered just make sure that's all taken care of in their commission. Insurance seems to vary, most of the ones I've dealt with insure the paintings while they're on exhibition but that's not universal so you should ask.

When you leave your work you're supposed to get a written receipt to prove what they've got and also just in case there is a problem with the gallery it establishes that the paintings are owned by you not them.

I bought a book a while back "The Artist's Guide to Selling Work" which I found quite helpful just to give you a feel for what's normal. It's by Annabelle Ruston, costs £9.99.

I'm sure other people have other things to add but hope that helps for now!

cheers
Elise

Have a firm understanding of what they are offering. Especially the percentage agreement most galleries I have found range between 40% for and 60% for well connected galleries. And have a firm understanding of and be happy with how you are going to be paid for sold work. If you get this wrong you will have no end of trouble and regrets.
Some galleries have a payment plan for their regular clients allowing them to pay over a year. you will find this difficult at best and that is a client perk that the gallery offers and should not be carried by the artist, if a gallery does this they should understand that they will pay you in advance or if you agree they will give you your part every time they get part payment.
However you will sometimes need to allow the gallery time to get paid on a lot of items so have a firm understanding with the gallery that it may be cool to allow something like 3 months to collect all the money together and go through the account, galleries by there nature will try to keep you waiting as long as possible for obvious reasons but some galleries are great and will pay as soon as possible, but it helps the relationship greatly to have a firm if not written understanding.
a lot of galleries I deal with will put of putting anything in writing but as your relation ship develops it may be helpful to write down every thing that is said between you and it write up and give a copy to the gallery for there records
Keep all emails and correspondence.
If you get a show from the gallery you need to know what they are offering egg local press exposure, and some kind of catalogue (which may only be a small pamphlet) should be the least you get or it’s not worth you or them doing.
Remember you are in it for many reasons but also to make money and so are they so it pays them to do it properly. And most important what ever they offer (framing, catalogues, press, and client base) it is your art that the people want to look at not their gallery. They can offend make you feel like a small cog but with out the art they don’t have a business.
One last thing to ask for is for you to be kept informed of who your work is sold to and what collections it may be sold to. Some galleries like to try to keep you in the dark and will try to keep their client list to themselves, but remember it’s your client list also.

good luck

Thanks folks - keep the tips coming they are really useful

Sue