How can you establish a long-term profitable relationship with a gallery from the get-go?
When you hand over your work to a gallery, you’re trusting them with something deeply personal. You hope they’ll represent you well, that they’ll communicate clearly, and that they’ll sell your art with care.
But that kind of trust doesn’t just happen. It’s earned through mutual respect and consistent communication.
That’s what my guest, Katherine Hébert, and I talk about in this episode of The Art Biz. Katherine has a rare perspective, having worked closely with both artists and gallerists. She knows what happens when communication breaks down, and what it looks like when partnerships truly work.
The small and mid-size galleries she works with as a consultant and founder of Gallery Fuel are passionate about art and want to do right by the artists they represent. But passion alone isn’t enough to sustain a business or a relationship. Both sides need to show up professionally, communicate honestly, and understand what the other is trying to achieve.
In this conversation, you’ll discover:
- Why the “dating period” before gallery representation matters as much as the relationship itself.
- How to ask for regular quarterly check-ins without feeling pushy (and what to do if your gallery says no).
- The communication missteps that undermine trust on both sides, and how to avoid them.
- Why post-show reviews strengthen partnerships more than any other touchpoint.
- What galleries wish artists understood about the stories they have to tell every day.
- How younger collectors are changing what galleries need from their artists.
This isn’t just about fixing broken relationships. It’s about building ones that actually work from day one—with clear expectations, mutual goals, and the kind of collaboration that helps both your careers grow.
Whether you’re represented by a gallery, considering your first partnership, or wondering if it’s time to reset expectations in a current relationship, this episode will give you new ways to think about how you work with others.
Your art career will be stronger when mutual respect is at the center of every relationship.
Listen
If you’re working with a gallery, reach out and ask for a quarterly check-in. If you’re seeking representation, contact one gallery on your wishlist and ask a thoughtful question about their vision.
Strong partnerships are built through showing up, not just waiting to be chosen.
Katherine Hébert Quotes
“The gallery cannot exist without the artists. Just that alone should make an artist feel empowered.”
“I would not enter into a relationship as an artist with a gallery if there was not a contract. No way. Not in this day and age.”
“Make sure that that contract is mutually beneficial. It is in place to protect the artist as much as it is to protect the gallery.”
“To be successful, you need to understand each other’s goals. If you don’t discuss those things upfront, establishing trust is going to be much more difficult.”
“A power dynamic can develop when communication breaks down. It has to be a partnership—both sides working toward the same goals.”
“[The galleries] have two clients—their artists and their buyers. That’s a lot of narratives to manage every day.”
“The gallery can’t exist without the artists, and artists hold more power than they sometimes realize. Asking questions only proves your professionalism.”
About Katherine Hébert
Katherine Hébert is the founder of Gallery Fuel, a membership-based resource helping small and mid-sized galleries attract collectors, boost sales, and run thriving businesses. Combining her art world experience with corporate marketing expertise, she offers a unique perspective on the challenges gallery professionals face today.
Before launching Gallery Fuel in 2012, Katherine worked across diverse gallery settings—from frame shops and limited-edition print dealers to galleries representing leading regional and national artists, as well as blue-chip works from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Follow Katherine on Instagram: @galleryfuel
