I work at a university art museum, and recently discussed purchasing work 
for our photography collection from a gallerist. After we discussed the 
artist at length and my interest in her, the gallerist informed me that 
they handle the estate of this artist, and are considering organizing an 
exhibition to go to 2 or 3 university museum/galleries. If we buy a print 
by the artist, there would be no participation fee. We would have to frame 
the prints and pay for transportation. I was considering a purchase anyway, 
and was quite interested in the offer -- it sounded like a great 
opportunity. They get the benefit of the work having been shown in museums 
and we get a good exhibition for a very minimal price, given that we were 
going to purchase a print anyway. My former institution made similar 
arrangements as a way of borrowing good art for the museum, and 
establishing a good working relationship with the gallery -- getting good 
deals, sometimes having the gallery steer collectors to us when they want 
to make gifts or need to make a donation for a tax write-off.

My director here, however, felt that such an exhibition would be a conflict 
of interest, since the gallery is clearly interested in selling the prints 
after the exhibition closes and would benefit from the museum exposure. I 
was quite surpised at my director's response, but wondered if I need to 
rethink the issue.

Just wondering what the practice is out there, and what people think about 
it.



 

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