Different Types of Art Galleries
By Sarah Francis @sarahfrancis.art
How to use this guide
Each gallery type includes:
- Purpose – Why the organisation exists.
- Best for – The artists or work it usually supports.
- Competition – Low / Medium / High.
- Submission route – Open submissions, invitation or a mixture of both.
- Career stage – Where it often fits within an artist’s career.
- Good to know – Things artists often misunderstand.
Artist-led Galleries
Purpose
Artist-led galleries are founded and run by practising artists. They exist to create opportunities, support experimentation and build creative communities.
Best for
- First exhibitions
- Emerging artists
- Testing new ideas
- Building confidence
- Meeting other artists and curators
- Developing your network
Competition: Low/ Medium
Submission route: Usually open calls, proposals or invitations.
Career stage: Early to establish.
Good to know
Artist-led spaces aren’t simply stepping stones into larger institutions.
Many established artists continue exhibiting with artist-led organisations because they value experimentation, collaboration and creative freedom.
Commercial Galleries
Purpose
Commercial galleries earn their income through selling artwork and building relationships with collectors.
Best for
- Artists with a consistent body of work
- Artists producing work regularly
- Building a collector base
- Long-term representation
Competition: High
Submission route: Mostly by research, recommendation or invitation. Some accept submissions.
Career stage: Developing to establish.
Good to know
- Representation isn’t a reward.
- It’s a business relationship.
- A gallery has to believe it can successfully introduce your work to collectors over many years.
Print Publishing Galleries
Purpose
These galleries focus on selling editions, prints and commercial contemporary art.
Examples include Castle Fine Art, Whitewall Galleries and Clarendon Fine Art.
Best for
- Artists producing editioned work
- Artists whose work appeals to a broad collector market
Competition: High
Submission route: Usually by invitation or research.
Career stage: Established.
Good to know
These galleries operate very differently from galleries that develop emerging artists.
A strong sales model doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right place for your practice.
Public Galleries
Purpose
Public galleries are usually funded through organisations such as Arts Council England, local authorities or trusts.
Their role is to benefit audiences, support artists and develop cultural programmes rather than sell artwork.
Best for
- Installation
- Research-led practice
- Public engagement
- New commissions
- Contemporary practice
Competition: High
Submission route: Mostly through curatorial research, partnerships and commissioning.
Career stage: Developing to established.
Good to know
Public galleries often programme exhibitions years in advance.
Many opportunities develop through relationships rather than open applications.
University Galleries
Purpose
University galleries connect exhibitions with research, learning and public engagement.
Best for
- Research-led practice
- Interdisciplinary projects
- Artist talks
- Residencies
- Collaborative work
Competition: Medium
Submission route: Mixed.
Career stage: Any.
Good to know
University galleries are often overlooked but can become valuable long-term partners for artists interested in research, education and collaboration.
Museums
Purpose
Museums preserve, interpret and share collections while commissioning exhibitions that connect with their collections and audiences.
Best for
- Established practice
- Collection-based exhibitions
- Major commissions
- Research projects
Competition: Very High
Submission route: Rarely open.
Career stage: Established.
Good to know
Very few museum exhibitions begin with a cold email.
Relationships usually develop over many years through exhibitions, partnerships and curatorial research.
Project Spaces
Purpose
Project spaces support temporary exhibitions, installations, collaborations and experimental work.
Best for
- New work
- Installations
- Performance
- Collaborative projects
- Testing ambitious ideas
Competition: Mixed
Submission route: Mixed.
Career stage: Any.
Good to know
Project spaces often give artists much more freedom than traditional galleries.
Hire Galleries
Purpose
Hire galleries rent exhibition space directly to artists.
Best for
- Self-organised exhibitions
- Testing new work
- Building exhibition experience
- Group shows
Competition: Low
Submission route: Booking.
Career stage: Any.
Good to know
Hiring a gallery isn’t the same as being selected through a curated programme.
Neither is better.
They’re simply different models with different goals.
Before paying, ask yourself what success would actually look like.
Online Galleries
Purpose
Online galleries provide platforms for artists to sell work digitally.
Some actively curate artists while others simply host listings.
Best for
- Selling artwork
- Reaching wider audiences
- Print sales
Competition: Medium
Submission route: Usually open.
Career stage: Any.
Good to know
Always research how the platform promotes artists, who its audience is and how it generates income before joining.
Alternative Exhibition Spaces
Not every exhibition happens inside a gallery.
Many artists build successful careers through:
- Libraries
- Historic buildings
- Hospitals
- Community centres
- Festivals
- Empty shops
- Heritage sites
- Science centres
- Outdoor public spaces
- Cultural events
For some practices, these spaces are a much better fit than a traditional gallery.
Which gallery is right for you?
If you want to… | Consider… |
Exhibit for the first time | Artist-led galleries, open exhibitions |
Meet curators | Artist-led spaces, project spaces |
Sell artwork | Commercial galleries |
Build relationships with collectors | Commercial galleries |
Develop ambitious installations | Public galleries, project spaces |
Connect with research | University galleries |
Test new ideas | Artist-led galleries |
Build community | Artist-led organisations |
Gain exhibition experience | Hire galleries and open exhibitions |
Before approaching a gallery
Ask yourself:
- Why does this gallery exist?
- How is it funded?
- Who is its audience?
- What kind of artists does it usually support?
- Has it shown work similar to mine?
- Can I genuinely imagine my work being exhibited there?
If the answer to that final question is no, it’s worth asking why you’re applying.
The aim isn’t to get into every gallery.
It’s to build relationships with the galleries that genuinely fit your practice.
Keep Building Your Practice
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Need support?
Finding the right gallery isn’t about sending more emails.
It’s about understanding your practice, recognising where your work fits and building relationships over time.
APS mentoring helps artists identify the organisations that align with their work, prepare professional submissions and develop long-term exhibition strategies built around the career they want to create.