There are plenty of reasons to join an online gallery platform as an artist or photographer:
- more and more art sales are made online
- the artist can get a lot of exposure
- exhibitions online reduce the costs to a minimum: no travelling expenses, no flyers and posters, no printed invitations
- online galleries can make the sales procedure more secure
- their terms and conditions protect not only the customer but also the artist
- most online galleries also provide tools for communication between the artists
- to sell through a gallery separates the ‘business’ part of the artist’s job from the ‘idealistic’ part which is usually prominent on the artist’s own website
- most contracts with online galleries give the artists more freedom and independence than contracts with other galleries
- most online galleries take less commission than offline galleries
- And last but not least: many online galleries are open for every artist. There is no fear of being rejected before you even get a chance to show your work to the public.
Which are the best online galleries for artists?
My own recommendations:
1. Saatchiart
Based in LA, launched 2008
First impression: professional
Mainly used by professional artists and photographers
Price range: $100 – $75,000.00
Who can apply? everyone
How to apply? sign in and upload your artworks
Pricing: 35% commission
Curation: for inclusion on main page and featured areas
Social Media: Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+, Instagram
Extras:
Community tools: yes
Social Sharing: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr
Blog: yes
Extra promotion: yes
Newsletter: yes
More: Showdowns, artists curate collections etc.
Print on demand: yes
PLUS:
- very interactive
- very professional
- great exposure
- great social media promotion
2. ArtFinder
Based in London and Miami, launched 2011
First impression: professional
Mainly used by professional artists and photographers
Price range: €1.00 – €50,000.00
Who can apply? every artist
How to apply? submission form
Pricing: 30 % commission
Curation: yes
Social Media Presence: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr, Instagram
Extras:
Community Tools: no
Social Sharing: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+
Blog: yes
Newsletter: yes
App: YES
Print on demand: no
PLUS:
- clean web design
- ArtFinder App
3. at60inches
Based in NY, launched 2013
First impression: professional and creative
Mainly used by professional artists, photographers and designers
Price range: $50.00 – $28,000.00
Who can apply? everyone
How to apply? submission form
Pricing: no information
Curation: for inclusion on main page
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Extras:
Community tools: no
Social Sharing: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr, WordPress
Blog: yes
Extra promotion: yes
Print on demand: no
PLUS:
- creative web design
- nice introduction for collectors
- great marketing ideas
4. New Blood Art
Based in London, launched 2004
First impression: professional
Used by professional artists and photographers
Price range: £30,00 –£4.500
Who can apply? every artist
How to apply? submission form
Pricing: 40 % commission
Curation: yes
Social Media Presence: Facebook, Twitter
Copyright protection: yes
Extras:
Community tools: no
Social Sharing: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Blog: yes
Extra promotion: group shows
Newsletter: yes
Print on demand: no
PLUS:
- professional platform for emerging artists
5. artlimited
Based in France, launched 2005
First impression:professional and creative; focus more on the artist than the buyer
Mainly used by professional artists and photographers
Who can apply: every artist
How to apply: register and upload (no fees, no limitations)
Pricing: no commission
Curation: featured artists in specific areas, curated by the audience and professionals
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, StumbleUpon, Google+
Extras:
Community tools: yes
Social Sharing: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, LinkedIn etc.
Blog: yes
Extra promotion: yes
Newsletter: yes
Print on demand: no
PLUS:
- very interactive platform
- every artist gets the same chance
6. Artful
https://www.theartfulproject.com
Based in London, launched 2013
First impression: professional, new, not yet established
Used by professional photographers
Price range: £75 –£4.600
Who can apply? professional photographers
How to apply? by application, submission form doesn’t open at the moment (maybe because of technical issues)
Pricing: no information
Curation: yes
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest
Extras:
Community Tools: no
Sharing possible: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Blog: yes
Extra promotion: no information
Newsletter: yes
Print on demand: yes
PLUS:
- will be a great platform for professional photographers
- less artists – more exposure
7. Imagekind
Based in NC, US, launched 2006
First impression: prints of various themes and quality
Used by artists and photographers who are selling prints of their work
Price range: $10 – $400 (without frames)
Who can apply: every artist
How to apply: register and upload (free for basic membership, $7.99 for Pro, $11.99 for Platinum)
Pricing: no commission
Curation: no
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr
Extras:
Community tools: yes
Social Sharing: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Houzz
Blog: yes
Extra promotion: priority placement for pro and platinum members
Print on demand: yes
PLUS:
- no commission and unlimited upload for all members
- the artist can run his own ads on his profile
- extra commission for frames
I’m very grateful for any comment: anything to add or correct?