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NON-PROFIT EXHIBITION SPACES
Unlike their commercial brethren, non-profit galleries exist to nurture artists, not sell art. Non-profits take anywhere from zero to 25 percent in commission (as opposed to the usual 50 percent tax at commercial galleries), which allows artists to price their works at significantly lower levels. In addition to year-round exhibitions, many non-profits hold annual fundraisers or sell limited edition print portfolios featuring donated works by more established artists.
White Columns
The 35-year-old White Columns gallery has a reputation for introducing future stars like Jeff Koons, John Currin, and Sarah Sze to the art scene. Rifle through its slide registry to find hidden gems, or attend its annual benefit auction in the spring.
320 W. 13th Street, btw. 8th Ave. and Hudson St.; 212.924.4212; whitecolumns.org.
Art in General
An open submissions policy and non-commercial ethos drives Art in General, where more than 4,000 emerging artists have exhibited their works over the last three decades.
79 Walker St., btw. Broadway and Lafayette St.; 212-219-0473; artingeneral.org.
Exit Art
Exit Art's annual print portfolios are a hot commodity, containing donated pieces from six well-known artists. (Past editions have included pieces by Sol Lewitt and Louise Bourgeois). For pre-publication price of $8,000, you can have yourself an instant art collection.
475 10th Ave. at 36th St.; 212-966-7745; exitart.org.
Brooklyn Working Artists Coalition
Throughout the year, the Brooklyn Working Artists Coalition displays well-priced works from its Brooklyn-based membership. Even when the art is not notable, the harborside views make a visit to BWAC's Red Hook exhibition space worthwhile.
499 Van Brunt Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn; 718-596-2507; bwac.org.
Emerging Arts
As its name suggests, Emerging Arts throws its weight behind new and unknown artists, often giving them their first gallery shows. A few times a year, the organization puts together group exhibitions of 30 to 40 young artists at various locations throughout the city.
emergingarts.com
Artists Space
Though Artists Space focuses primarily on emerging artists and places little emphasis on the selling of art, its most popular event is an outright sell-athon. The annual pre-Christmas benefit, "Night of a Thousand Drawings," features works on paper from both well-known and amateur artists—anyone, regardless of talent, is welcome to submit a piece for sale. Drawings are sold by size ($30-$50) on a first-come, first-served basis.
38 Greene St., 3rd fl., btw. Grand and Broome Sts.; 212-226-3970; artistsspace.org. |
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STUDENT SHOWS
There may be no better place to discover new talent—and get a hold of great art buys—than the end-of-semester thesis shows put on by the city's top art schools. Most colleges and universities with MFA programs introduce their graduates to the art market with twice yearly coming out parties, wherein collectors get to peruse curated works by mostly unknown artists. New York's two biggest (and some say best) MFA programs are at Hunter College and the Pratt Institute, which together graduate more than 300 artists a year. Other thesis programs with end-of-semester shows include Brooklyn College, City College, Columbia University, New York Academy of Art, NYU, and Parsons School of Design and the School of Visual Arts.
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Mel Kendrick, 1/2 Off, 2001, cast marble dust, steel, and screws, shown at Art in General.
Courtesy of Mel Kendrick
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James Bewley,
from "The Bat" Series, 2004, pencil and gouache on Bristol paper.
Courtesy of White Columns
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Commerical Galleries |
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New York galleries known for keeping their prices (and attitudes) in check:
Red Dot
A Chelsea gallery without the requisite snootiness, Red Dot seeks to match young artists with new and budget-minded buyers.
140 W 22nd Street, 6th Fl.;212-675-0461; reddotart.com.
Mixed Greens
As unabashedly commercial as an Ikea, Mixed Greens sells well-priced works over the Internet and out of its Chelsea showroom.
601 West 26th Street, 11th Floor, bet. 11th and 12th Aves.; 212-331-8888; mixedgreens.com.
Pierogi 2000
One of the most popular and innovative galleries in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Pierogi 2000 posts the work of some 700 emerging artists in its often affordable "flat file."
177 North 9th St.; 718-599-2144; pierogi2000.com.
Clementine
Clementine's living room ambience and reasonably priced works make it a comfortable gallery for beginning collectors.
526 W. 26th St.; 212-243-5937; clementine-gallery.com.
Jen Bekman Gallery
Laid-back events like the "Pin-Up Show" (in which all photos, prints, and drawings are priced under $600) draw big crowds at the Jen Bekman Gallery.
6 Spring St.; 212-219-0166; jenbekman.com.
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