How to Manage Exhibitions
Managing an art exhibition requires skills in several different areas. You need to be familiar with art, obviously. You also need to be highly organized, as there is a great deal of organizational and logistical work that goes on behind the scenes of every successful exhibition. You will need some business experience or aptitude, to deal with insurance, transportation and financial necessities. Finally, being a bit handy will help with the actual installation; even if you are not installing the exhibition yourself it can help in the decision-making process.
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Things You'll Need
- Artworks
- Computer with database
- Gallery or exhibition space
- Funding for art transport, postage, assistance
- Hanging hardware, pedestals and other equipment appropriate to artworks
Instructions
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1
Develop a theme for the exhibition. This can be either based around a medium, such as watercolor; a theme, such as landscape or abstract; a single artist or a group of artists from a particular region. You have almost unlimited latitude in your curatorial choice depending on your venue.
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2
Select the artwork. Decide what works by whom you want to show. Visit the studios of the artists, if feasible, to select the work in person. Otherwise review works via electronic media. You may want to have an open call for work on a certain theme or unifying characteristic. Put the call out at least four months prior to the scheduled show--longer is better.
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3
Arrange for the transport of the artworks to the gallery. Decide whether you will pay for transport and return or whether this will be responsibility of the artist(s). Prepare consignment forms for each of the works you will exhibit. Be sure the works arrive at least three days prior to the show--again, longer is better in case you run into installation problems.
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4
Insure the works. Decide whether you will insure them in transport as well, but the artworks should be insured while in your or the gallery's possession. If you don't have coverage through the gallery, get a one-time contract with a broker.
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5
Send out publicity. Send to your mailing list approximately three weeks prior to the exhibition. Notify press outlets. Send out email notifications to your list 10 days prior to exhibition.
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6
Take delivery on the artworks and hang the exhibition. You may need technical assistance here, with art handlers and hangers, depending on the scope of the show. Allow at least two days or more for this.
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7
Document the exhibition with photographs.
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8
Arrange for the opening by purchasing refreshments and deciding on layout.
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