Business relationships within the visual arts industry : an elementary cross-cultural comparison

This paper examines business relationships in the visual arts industry in the USA and Australia. It provides an interesting comparison between the two countries in regards to the role such relationships play in the operations of the three types of art galleries chosen, namely well-established, emerging and non-profit galleries. The qualitative research study undertaken through personal interviews addresses questions regarding the nature and importance of business relationships that exist in visual arts organisations in both countries. Further, the differences and similarities that exist in the roles that established and potential business and marketing relationships play in both countries, including factors explaining these differences and similarities, are investigated. Such factors include trust, commitment, dependency, activities, and government funding. The interaction of such factors in market positioning, selection of target markets and conduct of business are also examined.