Selling

Commercial Galleries and Representation

Summary of Good Practice Recommendations

Commercial galleries have a responsibility to:

  • uphold the principles of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (see First Nations) and the Indigenous Art Code

  • meet legal obligations relating to consumer protection, copyright (see Intellectual Property), workplace health and safety (see Workplace Health and Safety) and resale royalties (see Resale Royalty)

  • protect artists’ interests, legal rights and intellectual property, see Intellectual Property

  • implement transparent financial arrangements

  • keep detailed records of all transactions

  • obtain artist approval for promotional activities

  • exercise due diligence with handling, storing, repairing and displaying artworks

  • obtain and maintain public liability insurance and any relevant insurances for loss or damage to artworks

  • consider, communicate, plan and, where feasible, ensure accessibility of physical spaces, online spaces and events, see Access Rights for d/Deaf and Disabled People

Artists have a responsibility to:

Agreements with artists should:

  • be in writing and be discussed and negotiated in good time before signing

  • be transparent and accessible (preferably digital)

  • detail parties to the agreement

  • detail responsibilities of each party

  • detail if representation is full or limited, and any variation arrangements

  • detail the territory and period of representation

  • detail pricing of artworks

  • detail gallery commission and payment for artworks, see Payment Standards

  • detail moral rights of the artist, see Intellectual Property

  • detail policy for donated artworks

  • detail responsibility for exhibition costs

  • detail insurance arrangements, see Insurance

  • detail review, dispute and termination processes, see Grievance and Dispute Resolution