The principal thing to target on with art gallery submission is persistence...never give up. All galleries receive dozens, many a huge selection of unsolicited submissions yearly. The truth is that of these many submissions, merely a select few artistic expressions ever get chosen to be exhibited. Essentially, submitting your work and then patiently waiting is what's involved here. With many galleries you may wait forever. With others, you may occasionally get lucky and find one who offers fascination with your submission. It is essential to periodically follow up with a gallery after you submit. There's an excellent line between persistently following up with a gallery, and becoming an obnoxious pest. However, it is important in which to stay touch with the gallery owner/manager so that they know who you're and that you're seriously interested in representation/sponsorship.
Lets break it on to a step-by-step process from start to finish... Find galleries who accept or are looking specifically for your brand of work. This task is essentially the most difficult part in the general process. First off, most reputable/successful art galleries have their own website, listing their preferred style/brand of artists/photographers, their targeted browsers/buyers, their contact information and submission instructions. As you begin the daunting task of visiting the countless and varied gallery websites whether in your location or nationally/internationally, you will begin to discover that most of them aren't even accepting submissions. Ouch! Reality shock here. Yes, they're the cold hard facts. Most galleries will list this on their websites, or explain this for you via phone/email.
Now, assuming that during your tireless research you finally look for a gallery that exhibits your design of work and is currently taking submissions, please follow their submission instructions carefully. It doesn't hurt to call them just to be sure their website information is current. This could save you much wasted time and money. Many sites encourage your work electronically, either on CD disk, some even via email. Others prefer hard copies. Postal mail sometimes is the only real method. Regardless, do exactly what they request. Generally they'll ask you for 5 to 10 samples, sometimes more. Try this please. Don't send them dozens of pieces. Rather, select a few samples that best represent you the Artist, which reflect your soul, your personality, your inner work. Pick the job that expresses you the manner in which you want your viewers/buyers to help you being an artist. Even include some work already sold when it exemplifies your very best work, but its probably best to have many your pieces not sold yet.
After submission, wait at the very least the minimum time per their instructions before contacting them with a follow-up call/letter. Often this will be 4-8 weeks or longer. Trust that they received it and be patient. Now, give them a call. Formally introduce yourself. Be polite and professional. Let them know that you're extremely thinking about their gallery, their design of art, and their sponsors/buyers. Be sure to keep detailed records for yourself, listing dates of one's submissions to which galleries, contact names, phone and email addresses. Keep in mind that staff come and go at galleries, so it's extremely important to be able to drop a title of who you spoke to. If a visit personally is achievable, here is the preferred follow up. Give them your organization card. Smile, and appear confident. They're fully alert to the tedious process that you've been through just to be fortunate enough to submit to a gallery. Don't appear frustrated or defeated. Look and sound upbeat and ready to talk about business. Make certain that you've thoroughly read their website prior to your first contact.
Do your research. Manage to speak knowledgeably about their gallery. Leave them with an optimistic memory about your interview. You might just have a couple of minutes to chat on the device or personally, so ensure it is count. If you should be fortunate enough to have submitted to a local gallery, look professional and dress appropriately for every single visit. Bring a professional portfolio with you. Inside, make sure to have a current and complete hard copy of one's resume. Include all past art showings that you've done, with the most recent listed first. Include names, dates, and references. List your entire relevant educational degrees/certifications.
Needless to say, include in you portfolio good quality hard copy photos of one's samples, and one or more CD disk with samples. They may ask you for samples in person. Again, look and sound professional. Before visiting the gallery, make sure that you've made a previous trip to scope out the place, brand of art viewing customers, management and the parking situation. Realize that most art/photography galleries are physically located downtown generally in most cities. Allow time for traffic commute and parking. If that is a follow-up interview, do not be late. Remember the word,'early is punctually, and punctually is late '. Be punctual. If a gallery is gracious enough to accept interview you either personally or via phone, come prepared.
Often galleries will only open to submissions for a specific event or special exhibit. Typically, a gallery will have a few different showings per year. A showing can last just one day, but more regularly it'll run for some weeks, even months. Usually they're'theme'exhibits, showing a particular topic/subject. They are searching for artist who has that one style or feeling of expression. Topics vary from the historical period of canvas painting, to a contemporary design of sculpture. You need to be constantly checking postings and ads for what's up and coming at different galleries in different cities. You can't afford to miss an unusual window of opportunity letting you submit your work. A gallery may only accept for some days/weeks, and then might not accept again for per year or so.
In conclusion, show patience, persistent, professional, and do your research. It will probably pay off eventually.