Comments - Is it ethical for a gallery to put consignment items in storage? - crafthaus2024-03-28T20:34:17Zhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profiles/comment/feed?attachedTo=2104389%3ABlogPost%3A292776&xn_auth=noWe couldn't agree more Alison…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2011-09-21:2104389:Comment:2959642011-09-21T14:54:26.189Z2Roseshttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/2Roses
<p>We couldn't agree more Alison. The relationship between a gallery and artist is a business relationship first and foremost. Each partner has to fulfill obligations and duties for the relationship to work. Artists often put themselves at extraordinary disadvantage in a gallery relationship because they think that being "accepted" at a particular gallery in some way "validates" their work. In reality there is much more to it than that. Dispelling the myth and fear that many artists have about…</p>
<p>We couldn't agree more Alison. The relationship between a gallery and artist is a business relationship first and foremost. Each partner has to fulfill obligations and duties for the relationship to work. Artists often put themselves at extraordinary disadvantage in a gallery relationship because they think that being "accepted" at a particular gallery in some way "validates" their work. In reality there is much more to it than that. Dispelling the myth and fear that many artists have about the gallery relationship is a discussion well worth having.</p>
<p>We would add also that many gallery's have a legitimate complaint about artist's lack of organization and business sense which contributes to some of the common problems. This is not all on the galleries by any means. Artists - its YOUR business- manage it!</p> I am thrilled that this conve…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2011-09-21:2104389:Comment:2957922011-09-21T04:53:49.374ZAlison B. Antelmanhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AlisonBAntelman
<p>I am thrilled that this conversation is taking place...aside from the subject at hand, artists need to understand that working with a gallery is a dual relationship between the artist and gallery. Often, newer artists treat the gallery as employer or authority figure. An artist should feel comfortable having a conversation with the gallery owner and deal with all questions, problems, and issues that arrive. One of the reasons why I like the "professional guidelines" contract on the snag…</p>
<p>I am thrilled that this conversation is taking place...aside from the subject at hand, artists need to understand that working with a gallery is a dual relationship between the artist and gallery. Often, newer artists treat the gallery as employer or authority figure. An artist should feel comfortable having a conversation with the gallery owner and deal with all questions, problems, and issues that arrive. One of the reasons why I like the "professional guidelines" contract on the snag website is it forces discussion of uncomfortable issues that should be discussed. Gallery owners and artists share a business relationship based on trust and respect...mutually.</p> Thank you Brigitte for such a…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2011-09-20:2104389:Comment:2958232011-09-20T16:13:58.916ZHarriete E Bermanhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/HarrieteEstelBerman
<p>Thank you Brigitte for such a thoughtful and articulate reply.</p>
<p>Your gallery was definitely establishing the best standard for a working relationship between the artist and the gallery. I wish all galleries had equal standards.</p>
<p>Harriete</p>
<p>Thank you Brigitte for such a thoughtful and articulate reply.</p>
<p>Your gallery was definitely establishing the best standard for a working relationship between the artist and the gallery. I wish all galleries had equal standards.</p>
<p>Harriete</p> Harriete, having worked with…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2011-09-20:2104389:Comment:2957262011-09-20T15:10:34.930Z2Roseshttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/2Roses
<p>Harriete, having worked with galleries for over four decades we have add a big note of caution to this discussion. A lot of younger artists may take away the message that putting consigned work in storage is an acceptable practice. It is NOT! For the reasons Brigitte has rightly pointed out, putting work in storage is completely against the interests of the artist who has entrusted a gallery with inventory to sell.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The artist is already subsidizing the gallery's operations by…</p>
<p>Harriete, having worked with galleries for over four decades we have add a big note of caution to this discussion. A lot of younger artists may take away the message that putting consigned work in storage is an acceptable practice. It is NOT! For the reasons Brigitte has rightly pointed out, putting work in storage is completely against the interests of the artist who has entrusted a gallery with inventory to sell.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The artist is already subsidizing the gallery's operations by placing consignment work in the first place. Why should we expect that our work and our capital is sitting in a box in the back room of the people who are supposed to be selling it? Artists bear this in mind the next time you ship your work to a gallery. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is a contractual issue that artists should address with the gallery agreement. Artists can and should insist that consigned work (or a portion thereof) be on open display at all times.</p>
<p>We also understand the retail need to rotate inventory and have fresh merchandise on display. This can be contracted for and defined. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Harriete, thank you for starting this discussion related to artists rights and business practices. For those of you who have not availed yourself of Harriete's Professional Development downloads, they are an invaluable source of detailed business practice information for artists.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We can also state unequivocally that Brigitte's was one of the best galleries we have ever dealt with.</p> Ok, since you asked ... :-)
I…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2011-09-20:2104389:Comment:2956242011-09-20T14:05:46.960ZBrigitte Martinhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/brigittemartin
<p>Ok, since you asked ... :-)</p>
<p><br></br>I did indeed keep meticulous records of my inventory and updated my artists every month about the sales that happened. <strong>I also paid every artist EVERY month when a sale was made the month prior.</strong> (Feel free to be in touch with anyone I worked with, they will be able to corroborate my claim.)</p>
<p><br></br>My reasons for doing so were quite simple. Since I am a jewelry maker myself, I could clearly see the situation from both sides. I know…</p>
<p>Ok, since you asked ... :-)</p>
<p><br/>I did indeed keep meticulous records of my inventory and updated my artists every month about the sales that happened. <strong>I also paid every artist EVERY month when a sale was made the month prior.</strong> (Feel free to be in touch with anyone I worked with, they will be able to corroborate my claim.)</p>
<p><br/>My reasons for doing so were quite simple. Since I am a jewelry maker myself, I could clearly see the situation from both sides. I know that it is critical for an artist to be paid on time and correctly. I am holding an inventory that does not belong to me, it is paid for by the artist. They are out of money right from the start of the relationship. I always treated my artists as equal partners, and it was incredibly important to me that they see me as someone they can trust with their work.</p>
<p><br/>My place was rather small and I did not have much room for storage. I had to be very careful with what I wanted to show. I did exchange displays as the need arose, and when doing so returned unsold work and replenished as I went along. Since I showed light weighed items mostly, the shipping typically did not cost me or the artist all that much (of course I would pay for return shipping to the artist), and they appreciated when I was flexible enough to return and exchange work when it was needed in another location. I never had an issue with any of my guys.</p>
<p><br/>I don't think it is unethical to have some work tucked away, as long as the artist is a) aware of it and b) most of the consignment work is out and we are talking of maybe 1-2 pieces stacked away. But I think it is definitely unfair to the artist if a big amount of work is out of view for an extended time. The saying goes: "You can't fish if your hook is not in the water." My goal was for my artists (and me) to make money, and they can't make money with work that's not out in view. Neither can I. It ends up being inventory that I have to pay insurance for and that just sits around and does nothing for anyone.</p>
<p><br/>If an artist is concerned about their work being out of sight for an extended period, they should address this with the gallery as Harriete suggested. If this leads to nowhere, they should think about placing their pieces somewhere else where the work can be seen and sold.</p>
<p><br/>PS: It goes without saying that work on display should be clean, carefully displayed and free of dust and fingerprints at all times. That is a responsibility of the gallery for sure.</p>