Commercial galleries

'How Covid-19 has forced the art market’s speedy digital conversion'

In lockdown, many galleries have had a Damascene moment with online programming

Gallery Weekend Beijing will go ahead—but who will go?

While Chinese capital starts to relax restrictions, uncertainty over domestic travel arrangements may impact on event

Hong Kong’s art galleries abandon pricey Central district

As galleries feel the impact of Art Basel’s cancellation, many consider moving to cheaper, up-and-coming locations such as Kowloon and South Island

Art marketanalysis

When the emergency aid runs dry, what next for art galleries?

With short-term assistance varying between countries, trade organisations fear many businesses will close permanently due to coronavirus lockdowns

Online salesanalysis

As the art world urgently moves online, some galleries fear digital displacement

Just as mega dealers have bought up prime real estate, so too are they dominating bandwidth in the virtual landscape

Competitors become colleagues as galleries pool resources to stoke sales

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, dealers big and small were experimenting with joint exhibitions. Now it is a matter of communal survival

Galleries worldwide face 70% income crash due to coronavirus, our survey reveals

The alarming impact of the crisis on international galleries and dealers is revealed in our exclusive survey, which also suggests that a third of businesses do not expect to survive

Julia Michalska and Anna Brady. with research by
Art marketcomment

‘I’ve always been wary of big business’: Paula Cooper on weathering adversity and building better social systems

The veteran New York dealer shares her concerns about the current coronavirus crisis—and what the art world needs to stay focused on

Coronavirusanalysis

How Korea's galleries evaded a coronavirus standstill

Although the country’s museums have been closed since February, its commercial galleries were allowed to remain open—and sales have continued at a steady pace

In cautious loosening of lockdown, Germany allows art galleries to re-open

Small shops to open from next week but large gatherings still banned until at least 31 August

Shanghai's galleries reopen after Covid-19 with optimistic spate of spring shows

Temperature and health QR code checks at the entrance are still required

Coronavirusanalysis

Can’t pay your rent? Here’s what you can do if you're a UK gallery

Coronavirus has left many art businesses struggling to pay their bills, but there are resources available to help

One third of French galleries could shut before end of 2020 due to coronavirus impact

Survey issued by the Comité professionnel des galeries d'art reveals the economic damage already done, with members estimating a total loss of €184m for this quarter

Austrian galleries plan cautious re-openings as government eases lockdown

“The doors will be wide open to let the sun in again,” says one Viennese dealer

Hauser & Wirth announces new art and technology division with the launch of a custom-designed virtual reality platform

The ArtLab initiative will also offer a new tech residency programme for artists as blue-chip galleries race for digital dominance amid coronavirus lockdown

Podcastspodcast

Can the art market weather the coronavirus storm?

Plus, Sean Scully talks about his favourite "lonely work", The Moroccans by Matisse in New York's Museum of Modern Art. Produced in association with Christie's

Hosted by Ben Luke. with guest speakers Anna Brady and Margaret Carrigan. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson
Coronavirusanalysis

Galleries and auction houses reflect on Italy’s ground zero

Events have moved to summer and autumn in a swift response, with acceleration of online activity

Available online or by appointment: the best new commercial exhibitions to check out during lockdown

From a virtual tour of William N. Copley's Surrealist-inspired paintings to Joshua Citarella's exploration of young political online spaces

Private galleries give some profits to public health organisations battling coronavirus

Hauser & Wirth is donating 10% of profits from its online exhibitions to “both local and global causes” as part of its new #artforbetter initiative

London’s young galleries fight for survival during lockdown

But being smaller can mean lower overheads and more nimble business models, with some venues more upbeat than others as the shutdown hits

New York galleries seek rent relief from state government in the wake of coronavirus shutdowns

Some dealers are "prepared for a rent strike" if Governor Cuomo does not address a new bill offering rent suspensions to small businesses before 1 April

Coronavirusanalysis

Post-pandemic, the art market might return to 'normal'—but do we want it to?

Many in the art world see the impact of coronavirus as a chance to slow down the frenetic pace of global activity and rethink the whole system

Goodman Gallery is selling artist-designed blankets to raise funds for a Johannesburg clinic

Artists participating in the project include Broomberg & Chanarin, Nolan Oswald Dennis and Reza Farkhondeh

Letter from Spain: Arco exhibition centre is now a coronavirus hospital

The 'panorama is desolate' for the country's culture sector, says Manuel Fernández-Braso, president of the association of Madrid art galleries

Coronavirusanalysis

New York galleries turn on the cameras as they turn off the lights during coronavirus lockdown

As programming and expansion plans are halted, innovation kicks in with virtual performances and tours

Mediafeature

Are commercial galleries the next big content producers?

The top dealers are increasingly becoming audio and video makers and magazine publishers—is it all still about sales?

Smaller galleries frustrated by digital sales platforms as dealers move business online due to coronavirus lockdowns

Increasing membership rates for online marketplaces like Artsy prove daunting as galleries are forced to indefinitely close due to Covid-19

'I'm gearing up for a conversation with my landlord': Small US galleries prepare for the first wave of coronavirus losses

Considering staff furloughs and calling for state and city governments to expand small business grants, dealers are bracing themselves for significant financial downturn amid Covid-19