THE

ARTISTS’

COOPERATIVE

GALLERY, LTD.

Thank you for your interest in joining our Gallery. We are a non-profit, tax-exempt gallery, located in Omaha’s historic Old Market area. We strive for personal artistic growth and professionalism in presentation. We are dedicated to exhibiting quality art on a year-round basis.

The co-op is an artist run gallery.  Artists volunteer time to staff the gallery and operate all aspects of the business. There are no gallery commissions; all money goes directly to the artist. Sales are made at the gallery on behalf of fellow members.  We also accept credit cards. Our yearly sales are approximately $60,000 with an average of 20,000 annual visitors. In addition, artists frequently accept commissions from gallery visitors (which are not accounted for in the above numbers).

Continuous media exposure is our marketing goal. Our publicity committee markets the gallery as a whole; individual artists pay for show fliers and mailings. Our direct mailing list goes out monthly to our most interested and supportive patrons. Community outreach programs help bring new people into our Gallery and expose the community to art; these include working with civic groups, schools and various organizations.

We have 32-34 members per year. We keep a balance of two-dimensional and three-dimensional artists who work in a variety of mediums. Most are seasoned artists with impressive resumes; some are new talents with bright futures.  Most artists also show in nationwide shows, art fairs, and in commercial galleries on a local and national level.

Each member has the opportunity to share a special, month long Feature Show in addition to the continuous display of work with the other gallery members. On a regular basis, each artist shows approximately 3-5 pieces and a biography book. We also hold an all-member holiday show. The gallery is completely changed monthly; artists bring new work to our monthly meeting and take home that which is not sold.

Our membership year begins October 1st of each year. In August, new members are chosen by our Membership Screening Committee to fill vacancies. After the application review, applicants are notified of acceptance or rejection.  It is the policy of the Gallery to refrain from explanations as to its decision concerning rejecting applicants. Critiques of rejected work will not be given. Members are chosen not only on the strength of their work but also on the vacancies that are available at the Co-op at the time of application (the need for that style, media or type of work). Please keep that in mind if you are not accepted, we may have simply had “too many painters” or “too many photographers.”

Members pay annual dues of $325, payable in advance, and due October 1 of each year.  Dues are not refundable. In addition, members pay a one-time, refundable work deposit of $35 and a $15 key fee; both are due with the initial payment.

Members of the Gallery are assigned a shift, approximately once a month to open, staff, and close the Gallery.  If a member does not work their shift, or does not make advance arrangement with another member to work for them, the work deposit will be forfeited, and a fine will be levied. It is important that members be conscientious concerning their responsibility to staff the Gallery as assigned.

Members are also required to actively serve on at least one committee during their tenure and to have a body of work ready for exhibition upon acceptance to the gallery. In addition, members are encouraged to produce and exhibit new work in the gallery on a regular basis.

All members should attend the monthly membership meeting, if possible. This meeting is held on the Sunday preceding the first Saturday of the month.  Meetings begin at 4:00 p.m.

OVERVIEW OF MEMBER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Pay annual dues

·         Work approximately one shift per month or trade time with other members

·         Participate in committee work (time varies with committee and projects, averages 3-20 hours per year)

·         Continue to be a working artist –create and show new work on a regular basis

·         Attend monthly meetings