How To Behave At a Gallery

  • September 5, 2008
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With increasing wealth, leisure time, and opportunities for employment, more original art is available to the masses. But that’s no excuse to act like a goon in a gallery.

You Will Need

  • A sense of decorum
  • And common courtesy
How To Behave At a Gallery: Silence your cell phone

Step 1: Silence your cell phone

Before entering the building, turn off your cell phone or set it to vibrate.

How To Behave At a Gallery: Keep kids close

Step 2: Keep kids close

If you have children along, remind them not to touch anything and keep them close to you.

How To Behave At a Gallery: Don’t be loud

Step 3: Don’t be loud

Do not be loud inside or call to a friend across the room.

How To Behave At a Gallery: Don’t clog traffic

Step 4: Don’t clog traffic

Upon entering a gallery, scan the space as you move through the door, considering how you want to approach the artwork while not clogging up traffic.

How To Behave At a Gallery: Stand aside

Step 5: Stand aside

When not directly viewing a work, step aside and let others see it.

Look where you’re going—avoid knocking over any priceless pieces!

How To Behave At a Gallery: Tip on complimentary food or drinks

Step 6: Tip on complimentary food or drinks

If there are complimentary food and beverages available, feel free to partake, but tip if you’re able.

How To Behave At a Gallery: Don’t gawk

Step 7: Don’t gawk

Don’t get caught gawking too much at other gallery-goers, no matter how pretty, handsome, or outlandish they may be.

How To Behave At a Gallery: Keep criticism to yourself

Step 8: Keep criticism to yourself

If there’s a remote possibility the artist is present, refrain from making any critical comments.

How To Behave At a Gallery: Don’t say you could do that

Step 9: Don’t say you could do that

Never say, “I could do that.” Chance are you can’t.

How To Behave At a Gallery: Ask questions

Step 10: Ask questions

Should you have any questions, feel free to direct them to the artist or gallery owner. If you get a chance to meet them, thank them for having the show.

Many fine art galleries have frame shops on-site. Since they’re framing the really expensive stuff, they attract some of the best framers in the business.

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