The Value of Membership
at CITY ART Gallery

Almost 200 local artists are members of City Art Cooperative Gallery. Here's why:

Why Do Artists Join City Art?

Member artists belong to CITY ART because it's a cooperative gallery, owned and operated by local artists. They like the idea of making their artwork accessible and affordable to hundreds of potential art buyers each week. In addition to selling their art, they understand the importance of belonging to a network of peers who promote and support their creativity. City Art includes artists who have never before show their work in a gallery setting and members with established art careers. We do not insist on exclusive contracts with our artists, and we show a wide range of artistic mediums and styles.

Does CITY ART Sell Art?

Over the past three years, CITY ART averaged almost $50,000 in gallery sales annually -- more than $4,000 monthly. City Art sells over 30 pieces of art each month. That's more than one a day!

Why Show at City Art?

It's simple. Higher commissions, exposure to a large client base, public relations/marketing support, the opportunity to learn the gallery business, and networking opportunities are just a few of the benefits that come with membership at CITY ART.

• Higher Commissions!
  CITY ART offers artists higher commissions than almost all other galleries. The artist retains 70 percent of all money generated from the sale of his or her artwork. When artists sell work in the gallery -- whether their own or another member's -- they make an additional 10 percent off the sale. In total, 80 percent of all gallery sales go directly back to member artists. While most galleries take 50 percent commission or more from a sale, CITY ART retains only 20 percent of each sale.

• Large Client Base!
  Belonging to CITY ART gives you exposure to thousands of new potential customers looking to purchase your art. Our Valencia Street location provides abundant foot traffic from noon to 9 p.m. six days a week. In addition, membership at CITY ART provides you access to hundreds of art buyers on CITY ART's mailing list. The gallery holds monthly exhibit openings that attract hundreds of potential art buyers to the gallery the first Friday of each month. And CITY ART creates opportunities for you to participate - individually and collectively - in the citywide Open Studios event that puts hundreds of art lovers in front of your work every October.

• Public Relations/Marketing Support!
  CITY ART offers you the public relations and marketing expertise you've been looking for. The gallery has developed media contacts throughout San Francisco and produces monthly press releases that are published in daily and weekly newspapers and magazines, in addition to receiving television and radio coverage.

  Professional quality postcards are created by CITY ART and distributed, free of charge, to member artists for each month's exhibit. These postcards save artists the hundreds of dollars creating and printing their own promotional materials would cost.

  CITY ART also advertises in art guides and other art-related periodicals, getting your name and art before the public, the media, and most importantly -- art buyers.

  Membership at CITY ART also offers you on-line promotional opportunities, including a website that acts as an electronic portal between the art-buying public and individual member artists. Our promotional emails broadcast exhibition updates to hundreds of potential art buyers online.

• Gallery Experience And Networking Support!
  Membership at CITY ART provides you the opportunity to learn how to run a professional art gallery from proven experts in the field. And the friendly and funky atmosphere of CITY ART makes learning fun. Monthly workshops tap your creative energies, connect you with critical resources, and help you market your art as a business. As a community of artists we offer camaraderie, support and creative inspiration.

If you're interested in joining, please take a look at our "How to Join" page.