What contemporary art gallery services actually cost — a plain guide

The cost of exhibiting your work

Gallery exhibition fees vary depending on the format. A solo show in a full gallery space involves significant preparation — installation, printed materials, an opening reception, insurance, and sales facilitation — and is priced accordingly. Group exhibitions spread those costs across multiple artists, making them a more accessible entry point for emerging artists. At Meridian, a solo exhibition in our full 120 m² gallery is priced at $850; a group exhibition is $200 per artist for up to six participants; and a weekend pop-up showcase in a shared space is $150. These fees cover the gallery's operational costs for the show. On sales, we retain 35% and the artist receives 65%, paid within 14 days of a confirmed sale — a structure that aligns our interests with yours.

The cost of custom framing

Framing costs are driven by three main factors: the size of the work, the quality of materials chosen, and the complexity of the mount. At Meridian, our framing packages start at $95 for a small piece with solid moulding, acid-free matboard, and standard UV glass. A medium-sized piece in our archival package — premium hardwood moulding, 100% cotton rag matboard, and conservation UV glass — is $175. Our museum frame, with hand-selected moulding and museum glass that blocks 99% of UV light, is $280 for a large piece. Rush service in three business days carries an additional $45 surcharge. All packages include our 10-year workmanship guarantee, hanging hardware, and a free in-person design consultation. Oversized and panoramic works are quoted individually. The consultation itself is always free and carries no obligation.

The cost of art consultation

Art consultation is one of the most underused services in a gallery, partly because people are unsure what it costs and what they get for that cost. At Meridian, a residential consultation for a single room is $150; a whole-home consultation is $350. Both include a 60-minute needs assessment, a curated shortlist of eight to fifteen works, digital mock-ups showing art in your actual space, and professional installation. Critically, the full consultation fee is credited toward any artwork you purchase within 60 days. Commercial and hospitality projects are quoted individually. A home consultation within 20 km of Kelowna is $120; between 20 and 60 km, it is $200, with the fee again credited toward any purchase.

The cost of workshops

Workshop pricing at Meridian is all-inclusive — materials, tools, instruction, and light refreshments are covered in the fee. A single three-hour session is $75 per person. A four-session series in the same medium is $260, offering a meaningful saving for those who want to develop a skill over time. Private group bookings for up to 12 people are $720, which works out to $60 per person at full capacity — a reasonable cost for a genuinely hands-on creative event. Youth sessions for ages 8 to 14 run two hours and are priced at $45 per child. Sessions are capped at 12 participants, so the instruction is real rather than nominal.

The cost of restoration assessment

A condition assessment and written report for a damaged or aged artwork is $60 at Meridian. This gives you a clear picture of what the work needs and what is possible to address in-house versus what requires a specialist conservator. Surface cleaning for a small work starts at $120; for a large work, $220. Canvas re-stretching and edge repair is $150. Minor tear repair is $85 per repair. These are starting prices — complex cases are quoted individually after the assessment. The $60 assessment fee is money well spent before committing to any restoration work, because it tells you exactly what you are dealing with.

Transparency about cost is part of how a good gallery builds trust. Understanding what drives the price of framing, consultation, and exhibition services means you can make confident decisions — and get genuine value from every pound you spend on art.