How to Start and Run a Commercial Art Gallery by Edward Winkleman

Starting and running a commercial art gallery is an exciting and rewarding endeavor that can be both personally and financially rewarding. But it’s also a complex and time-consuming process, and one that requires careful planning, organization, and hard work. That’s why Edward Winkleman’s book, How to Start and Run a Commercial Art Gallery is an essential resource for anyone looking to launch or enhance their gallery business.

In this book, Winkleman, an art gallery professional with decades of experience as a gallerist and art advisor, explains everything you need to know to start and sustain a successful art gallery. Through his direct and approachable style, he provides concise and clear explanations of the process, as well as helpful tips and advice on how to successfully promote and manage the gallery’s operations.

Winkleman dives into the fundamentals of what it takes to start an art gallery. He advises readers to get clear on their mission from the beginning and provides helpful insight and advice on things like developing a business plan, analyzing the art market, finding appropriate spaces and selecting the staff. He advises readers to research the arts ecosystem where they plan on doing business, as well as the many regulations and tax rules governing the business of art galleries.

In the book, Winkleman explores all of the aspects related to running and marketing a commercial art gallery. For example, he guides readers through the selection of artworks, the negotiations between artist and gallery, and the display of those artworks. He also covers important topics like determining the best price point for the artwork and understanding the sales process. He goes into detail on the relationship galleries have with their clients, and the need to build relationships with other galleries and supply chains.

Winkleman provides advice on setting up the right corporate structure and utilizing technologies like digital marketing, social media and web strategies. He delves into strategies to attract and maintain a steady client base as well as building loyalty through solid customer service and providing value-added services.

For any aspiring gallerist, How to Start and Run a Commercial Art Gallery provides an essential guide that covers the fundamentals of the business. Winkleman’s book is full of vital forms, charts, checklists and other tools that make setting up a commercial gallery a much smoother and more enjoyable process. It contains detailed advice for both beginners and experienced gallery owners, and is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enter the exciting and lucrative world of commercial art.