Artquest

Commercial galleries will exhibit and sell works on behalf of an artist or craftsperson, making money for their business by 'marking up' (or adding commission) to the artists sale price and keeping that part of the cost.  Some will also financially assist an artist in the making of their work and deduct that cost from the sale of the work once it is complete.  Some larger galleries will also act as an agent for artists, or provide a monthly retainer (or payment) to ensure their higher profile artists have enough time to devote to creating new work.  Almost all commercial galleries prefer to find artists from their own research and will probably not respond to unsolicited applications.

A further discussion of better ways to contact commercial galleries is in the getting an exhibition article.

Arts Council England commissioned two reports about the shape and size of the commercial art market in the UK.  Taste Buds, from 2004, was a two-year research programme involving over 6,000 artists, buyers, dealers and galleries, and looked at how the arts market can be developed in England. The report examines the sector in three major areas: production, supply and demand.  A follow-up report, Market Matters, also from 2004, focuses on the market for contemporary art. Through interviews, it examines the relationship between dealers, galleries, collectors and artists.