5 Tips to Consider When Visiting Fine Art Galleries

1. Research and Plan Ahead

Whether you’re visiting a local gallery, planning travel, or participating in a virtual tour of your favorite gallery. Spending some time conducting research prior to scheduling will ensure a successful visit. If you are new to the art world, we recommend conducting research based on your art interest (mediums, styles, artist, themes). As you narrow your search we recommend checking out Art-collecting.com, an easy to use comprehensive guide to art galleries in the U.S and Europe. We find this resource to be helpful as some larger cities, like Chicago, New York and Los Angeles have several hundred galleries. Tour the gallery’s website; to get an idea of what kind of art you will be viewing. Many galleries will have a full list of the artists currently being shown. Look for photographs and read some of the descriptions of the gallery’s exhibits. Visit as many galleries as you can to develop an eye for quality, and what type of art interests you.

2. Develop a Strategy

Most Galleries are free and open to the public, but may charge a fee for special events hosted at the gallery. They are typically open Tuesday - Saturday, with weekends being the busiest. It’s always a good idea to call ahead and schedule a time to visit the gallery. Collect details on their current exhibit(s) and artist they represent. If you’re looking to take in art in a quieter setting, I recommend visiting on a weekday. If you’re the social type, a great time to visit a gallery is the week a new exhibit opens as there are usually a series of events and activities to build awareness and celebrate the new exhibit. So go get dressed up, have a complimentary glass of bubbly and indulge in the atmosphere.

3. Be Fearless, Ask Questions

When you arrive at the gallery greet the staff and ask for a biography of the artist(s). Prices of pieces are not generally listed but don’t be afraid to request a pricelist. You have to know what you’re working with. Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. If the people working at a gallery aren't exactly jumping up from their desks to talk to you, don't take it personally. It's perfectly fine to ask them questions about the artwork—that's what they're there for. Gallery staff can be helpful guides in your art education. And before you leave, get on gallery mailing lists so you'll be invited to openings, artist receptions and special events.

4. Take Your Time Viewing the Pieces that Speak to You

So now that you have prepared yourself and arrived at the gallery, you will want a viewing strategy. It’s common that many people begin moving through an exhibition, attempting to look at and read everything in the order presented. Try walking the entire gallery space quickly, from beginning to end. Think of reading the space like a menu — you’re simply browsing to see what piques your interest. The point of the “once around” viewing is to spark your interest and attention in what is being exhibited. You then can develop a relationship with the pieces that really grabbed you. 

Use the gallery wall texts to help guide you, but do not rely on them to tell you the whole story of what you are looking at. During this walk through, make sure to zero in on at least two or three artworks for closer attention as you move through the gallery space. This step is perhaps the most satisfying part of any gallery visit, as it is a chance to really take in and notice something important in the artworks that first sparked your interest.

How you do this is entirely up to you. You can look and appreciate the colors and form or read the descriptions and lean into the context of the artwork. What matters is that you find it interesting and want to learn more about it. 

5. Go with a Friend

Many things we do are things are more memorable and fun if you do them with other people. Gallery trips are no exception, although it is best to choose someone who will go round at a similar pace to you. Having discussions about the artworks with a friend will help you think about what you are looking at more deeply. It may also make you notice details you might otherwise overlook on your own.