The world of art galleries is broad and diverse. Galleries can be classified according to their management model, objectives, relationship with artists, and target audience. Each type plays a specific role within the artistic and cultural ecosystem, contributing in different ways to the promotion and circulation of art. Below are the main types of art galleries:
Commercial Galleries
Commercial galleries are the most common within the art market. Their primary function is to exhibit, promote, and sell artworks, acting as intermediaries between artists and collectors, whether private or institutional.
These galleries typically represent a carefully selected group of artists, developing their careers through exhibitions, participation in art fairs, catalogues, and marketing campaigns. In return, they receive a commission on each sale, usually ranging between 30% and 50% of the artwork’s price.
Although commercially oriented, many of these galleries also take on curatorial and educational roles, organizing thematic exhibitions, talks, and publications that enrich the audience’s experience.
Typical examples include renowned galleries such as Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, Perrotin, or Marlborough.
Institutional or Public Galleries
Institutional or public galleries are managed by government bodies, universities, museums, or non-profit foundations. Their mission is not commercial but educational, cultural, and social. They aim to bring art closer to the community, encourage critical reflection, and promote civic engagement.
These galleries organize temporary exhibitions by national and international artists, often addressing social, historical, or experimental themes. They also host complementary activities such as lectures, workshops, artist residencies, and publications.
Because they do not rely on artwork sales, institutional galleries generally have greater freedom to support experimental or innovative proposals and to highlight emerging or underrepresented artists within the commercial circuit.
Examples include spaces such as Sala de Arte Joven (Madrid), Palais de Tokyo (Paris), or Centro Cultural Recoleta (Buenos Aires).
Independent or Alternative Galleries
Independent or alternative galleries are often run by artist collectives, cultural managers, or artists seeking autonomy from traditional art structures. They are characterized by their experimental, inclusive, and often politically engaged approach.
These spaces typically operate with limited budgets, outside major commercial circuits, and are frequently located in unconventional urban settings such as former workshops, factories, private homes, or shared spaces.
Their programming may include performance art, installations, urban interventions, or collaborative exhibitions. In many cases, these galleries also function as platforms for dialogue, debate, and cultural activism.
Examples include spaces such as Beta-Local (Puerto Rico), La Escocesa (Barcelona), or SOMA (Mexico City).
Virtual (Online) Galleries
With the development of new technologies, virtual or online galleries have emerged, bringing the artistic experience into the digital environment. These platforms allow artists to showcase their work to a global audience without geographical limitations or physical barriers.
Online galleries take many forms: independent websites, exhibitions in the metaverse, social media profiles, digital art fairs, or NFT platforms. Many offer interactive catalogues, 3D virtual tours, explanatory videos, secure online payment systems, and direct communication with artists.
This type of gallery has gained significant prominence in recent years, democratizing access to art and generating new models of collecting and cultural consumption—particularly among younger, tech-savvy audiences.
Examples include platforms such as Artsy, Saatchi Art, NFT galleries on OpenSea, or virtual exhibitions hosted on platforms like Mozilla Hubs or Artland.
Each type of art gallery fulfills a unique function within the artistic ecosystem. Whether operating from a commercial, institutional, independent, or digital perspective, all contribute to the dissemination, appreciation, and evolution of art in its many forms. Understanding these differences allows visitors, collectors, and creators to engage with art from a more informed and open perspective, embracing the diversity of expressions the art world offers today.