Going commercial...

I have worked with few commercial galleries as opposed to non-profits, since most of my work is highly conceptual and is meant to get people thinking more than buying so it's not the easiest to market. It is a totally different experience, and I must say there are some definite benefits. One of the key differences is that the commercial gallery really is geared towards selling art (appealing to their client base by offering wares that people want to own) whereas the non-profit really is geared towards showing art (trying to highlight a diverse selection of media, styles, ideas and so on that otherwise may or may not be seen in commercial venues because they may be difficult or impossible to market). Sure, an artist might sell a piece here and there at the non-profit; some even do quite well. But it's not the driving force behind the establishment.

As a result, the commercial enterprise really works with the artists represented to maximize their sales potential. (At least, those commercial galleries that survive in the long term to establish themselves will strive do so anyway, if for no other reason than out of necessity.) Therefore, artists are offered numerous opportunities to show their work, often having their own web pages on the gallery page on which to display and/or sell their work. Those artists are also likely to be able to work with the gallery when handling their own sales if they want, at art fairs and markets for example.

I think the thing that strikes me the most is how professional, courteous and thorough the commercial establishments can be. I realize that this doesn't always hold true and varies a lot from institution to institution. Some commercial galleries are very poorly managed, but those establishments can have a much harder time surviving in the long term. And a lot of the more disorganized non-profits tend to be scatterbrained mainly due to the fact that they must rely on volunteers to get things done, whereas the commercial galleries do not. (Those non-profits with paid positions tend to do better in this regard, I think mostly because those involved are not torn between other jobs, their own art, and their families in addition to the cause for which they are volunteering, and because they feel more obligated to do their jobs well and not to procrastinate on those things that need to be accomplished.)

Essentially, I am glad to have the opportunity to work in both veins. Both fill different niches, and although I love doing conceptual art and trying to get people thinking about things, I must admit that it's nice to earn some money off of what I'm doing. We all have to eat, after all.