GUIDELINES

If you’d like to be a member of the Saskatchewan Professional Art Galleries Association (a.k.a., SPAGA), here are the guidelines for membership as outlined by our good ol’ constitution. If you think your gallery meets these guidelines, then by all means, contact us.

 

1. Members of SPAGA shall be limited to professional commercial art galleries with the main focus being the sale of original art and craft.

 

2. Galleries may apply for membership and be admitted by a majority vote of the Board of Directors if, in the opinion of the Directors, the applicant gallery fulfills the following requirement:

 

• Has operated a bona fide exhibition gallery, open to the public during consistent business hours, for a continuous period of three years or more; 
• Business is located in Saskatchewan;
• Represents at least 10 artists;
• Has a demonstrated exhibition program;
• Provides evidence of stability and intent (based on criteria such as exhibition policy, reputation in the community, bank or accountant reference);
• Operates an ethical business generally accepted in the gallery field;
• Has a primary concern for the promotion of art and artists of merit;
• Evinces a concern with accepting and promoting the basic mandate of SPAGA, with particular regard to the maintenance of professional standards and ethics.

 

The applicant gallery shall provide the Membership Committee the following information for consideration:

 

• Name of applicant, position and name of business;
• Date of establishment of the gallery;
• Information indicating that the gallery holds regular exhibitions of art works by recognized artists (include number of exhibitions per year and gallery artist list);
• Copies of invitations and catalogues or brochures issued by the gallery from shows held within the past two years;
• Photographs of the interior and exterior of the gallery;
• History of the owner and director (if different people) as it pertains to the gallery and his/her/their professional background and experience;
• Indication whether the gallery is independent of any other business, in terms of both location and corporate structure (i.e. gift shop, framing shop, etc.).