Guides

The “101” part of the name: short, plain-language guides to how galleries work, for artists who want to show their work and for anyone who wants to visit more of them.

12 guides · each one names its sources

For artists

  • Artist CV template

    The sections Canadian galleries and juries expect on an artist CV, in order, with rules for listing shows, residencies, grants and collections, plus a template.

    Published 19 October 2026

  • Artist residencies 101

    Kinds of artist residencies, what they cost and what they pay, how to apply, Canadian examples from Banff to Dawson City, and how to fund one.

    Published 19 October 2026

  • Gallery commission rates and consignment agreements

    Typical gallery commission splits in Canada and the US, what a gallery does for its share, what a consignment agreement must cover, red flags and templates.

    Published 19 October 2026

  • How to get your art into a gallery

    A practical route into Canadian galleries: finding the right fit, how dealers really find artists, what to send each type, how to follow up, and what to avoid.

    Published 19 October 2026

  • How to price your art

    Three ways to price artwork (size formula, time and materials, market comparison), with worked examples, consistent pricing across venues and raising prices.

    Published 19 October 2026

  • How to spot a vanity gallery

    What a vanity gallery is, how it differs from honest rental spaces and co-ops, the pitches to watch for, the checks to run, and what to do if you already paid.

    Published 19 October 2026

  • How to write an artist statement

    What an artist statement is for, how long it should be, a simple four-part structure, what to leave out, how to revise, and two short example statements.

    Published 19 October 2026

  • Open calls and juried shows: how they work and the red flags

    How open calls, juried exhibitions and art competitions work in Canada, normal fees versus pay-to-play, what a real call states, and where to find them.

    Published 19 October 2026

  • What Canadian galleries pay artists: the CARFAC fee schedule

    The CARFAC-RAAV minimum fee schedule explained: who it binds, the 2026 exhibition and talk fees, how to invoice, and what to do when a gallery will not pay.

    Published 19 October 2026

For visitors

For everyone

  • Types of art galleries explained

    Public museums, municipal and university galleries, artist-run centres, co-ops, dealers, rental spaces and pop-ups: who runs each and who pays whom.

    Published 19 October 2026

  • What is an artist-run centre?

    How Canada's artist-run centres began, who runs and funds them, what they show, how they differ from other galleries, and how artists get shown.

    Published 19 October 2026

Looking for places rather than advice? Browse the galleries by city or the national list of artist-run centres in Canada.