Even directors of well-known spaces will probably open their own mail, gallery computers tend to be clogged already with images and staff numbers are usually very small.  The majority of commercial gallery owners do not have the time or resources to look closely at all submissions they receive and do not have the resources to return work sent.  It is the job of commercial gallery directors and curators to find artists to bring into their galleries, and they will visit exhibitions, studios and events on the look-out for new talent.  It is generally considered a better strategy to befriend and cultivate a longer term relationship with a gallery owner so as to get them interested in your work.

Publicly funded galleries usually have a policy on their website or available from a staff member as to how they want to be approached by artists - if at all.  Smaller scale galleries might accept unsolicited proposals, or may have open submission selections at certain times of the year.  Larger, major gallery spaces will probably not accept unsolicited applications at all, preferring instead to invite artists to exhibit with them.  Artist-run spaces may have a policy in between these two extremes.

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