Galleries serve as spaces designed to showcase and celebrate various forms of art and creative expression. They provide a platform for artists, both emerging and established, to exhibit their works to the public, fostering appreciation and understanding of art. Galleries create an atmosphere that encourages contemplation and exploration, allowing individuals to connect with the emotions, ideas, and messages conveyed by the artists.
As cultural hubs, galleries also play a significant role in enriching communities by hosting events, educational programs, and collaborative initiatives, helping to foster a vibrant and thriving artistic community.
While each gallery is different, they do have some things in common:
- An appreciation for the arts – as you might expect, you’ll need to have a passion for art, from painting and sculpture to digital media and photography.
- Communication is key – from explaining the meaning of artworks to the public to collaborating effectively with your co-workers.
- Volunteering is common – while there are lots of paid roles in galleries, they also rely on the hard work of volunteers as well (and it can act as a great springboard for future opportunities).
Key Outcome
Artistic appreciation and cultural enrichment
The main purpose of a gallery is to exhibit and celebrate diverse forms of art, engaging and inspiring visitors.
Key Tasks
- Select and arrange exhibits with care and creativity.
- Engage with guests, providing information and guidance.
- Prepare the gallery space for new displays.
- Maintain detailed records of artworks and collections.
- Ensure proper handling and preservation of artworks.
- Organise exhibitions, workshops, and artist talks.
- Facilitate artwork sales and process transactions.
- Promote exhibitions and events to attract visitors.
Industry
You can find galleries in the arts and recreation services industry
Galleries are generally found in the arts and recreation services industry. Galleries can be general or specialise in a particular form of art (fine art, photography, etc.), and can vary in size from small pop-up facilities to huge buildings filled with artworks.
Work Environment
You can expect regular hours and flexible working arrangements
Regular hours | Work on-site or remote | Jobs more common in metro areas | Strong job growth
Specific opening hours can vary from gallery to gallery, but many of them are open during regular working hours, and often on weekends as well. They may also stay open late some days, depending on events and exhibitions that are currently running. When swapping between exhibits, galleries may close for a day or two to prepare.
There are plenty of roles in galleries that allow for both on-site and remote work, depending on your exact responsibilities.
Galleries tend to be more common in metropolitan areas due to higher population and demand, but smaller local galleries are still popular in regional and rural areas too, particularly in towns with a strong cultural or tourism focus.
The Career Clusters you’ll find in a gallery
People from all Clusters are needed for a gallery to run successfully, and there are plenty of roles to choose from in nearly any Cluster. In many roles, you might find yourself performing tasks across multiple Clusters.
