MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
Blackfish Gallery is owned by its member artists and is funded and maintained through monthly dues, exhibition fees, gallery sales commissions, and grants. The goals and operation of Blackfish Gallery are achieved through the equitable distribution of time and effort among all artist members, as follows.
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Exhibition Opportunities as an Artist Member-Owner
New member-owners participate in a New Member Show after joining the gallery and soon thereafter show with the same regularly as all artist-members. With three exhibition spaces, there are frequent opportunities to exhibit either solo, or as part of group shows, which all Blackfish artists are invited to take part in. There are likewise a variety of gallery-sponsored off-site exhibition opportunities.
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Time and Task Responsibilities
Each member-owner staffs the gallery for one day each month and serves on two committees. Each member-owner also volunteers as needed for the day-to-day tasks needed to operate the gallery. Attendance is required at monthly and annual meetings.
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Financial Responsibilities
New member-owners pay a $160.00 initiation fee. Each member-owner also fulfills their financial responsibilities for timely payment of monthly dues (currently $160.00/month), exhibition fees for their shows, and other occasional gallery fees that may arise. There is a 40% gallery commission fee for all artists’ work sold at the gallery and within the Portland Tri-County area.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Applying to Blackfish Gallery
By applying, the candidate acknowledges that they have carefully read the above information and that they understand the commitments of becoming an owner-member. Strong member-owner candidates demonstrate their qualifications as art professionals through the level of their work and their record of professional achievement. The artist’s creative inquiry and potential for growth is also considered.
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Portfolio Submissions
To apply to be an artist-owner, please submit 20 digital images of recent artwork, a corresponding image inventory list, a letter of intent, a brief artist’s statement, a CV or resumé that includes education and exhibitions. The receipt of your application will be confirmed by a New Member Committee member and your application reviewed. The timeline for this varies. Please be sure to reach out if you have questions about the application process. Please also note that your application will not be reviewed if it is incomplete.
Submission Options
Send a link to these files in your Google Drive or Dropbox to director@blackfish.com with the subject line "Artist Member-Owner Application."
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You may also send your files and images on a USB flash drive to the gallery:
Blackfish Gallery
Attn: New Member Coordinator
938 NW Everett St.
Portland, OR 97209
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We are always accepting portfolio applications. When the gallery is at capacity, we keep a list of interested parties who have submitted a complete application package and hold a review when space becomes available. If invited to meet with the gallery member-owners for an interview, the candidate presents at least three examples of recent work and answers questions from the member-owners about themselves as an artist and commitment to an artist-owned gallery model.