Should Artists Display Prices on Their Websites? A Contrarian Gallery Owner’s Take

A gallery owner argues that artists should display prices on their websites, challenging the traditional secrecy around art pricing. The article, published on RedDotBlog, presents the case for openness: transparency attracts serious buyers, builds trust, and gives artists control over their brand narrative. It acknowledges legitimate concerns such as potential conflicts with galleries and rigidity in negotiations. Practical solutions include coordinating with galleries, using price ranges, providing downloadable price lists, being clear about the process, and updating prices regularly. The author emphasizes that hiding prices can deter qualified buyers and slow down sales, while public pricing empowers the entire chain. The piece concludes with a call for artists to share their experiences with pricing on their websites.