What Is the Difference Between an Art Gallery and a Museum?

Art|Art Museum

Art galleries and museums are both places that display works of art and other objects of historical and cultural importance, however they differ in their purpose, approach and the way they are supported.

Purpose: Art galleries serve primarily to exhibit artwork created by living artists, while museums typically focus on displaying artwork and artifacts from all time periods. Art galleries may also have sections devoted to displaying historical works or special exhibitions, but their primary goal is to provide an outlet for contemporary art. Museums often act as custodians of history, collecting artifacts from all periods of human existence, from pre-history to the present day.

Approach: Art galleries are usually commercial spaces that are run by private owners or organizations. They tend to be more focused on marketing and selling artwork than museums which often operate independently or as part of a public trust. Galleries can be selective in what they show due to their limited space requirements while museums have more space available and can often display larger collections with greater variety.

Support: Art galleries rely heavily on sales of artwork as well as admission fees, memberships, donations and grants in order to stay in business. Museums often receive government funding in addition to other sources such as private donations and grants.

Conclusion: In summary, art galleries and museums differ in terms of their purpose, approach and the way they are supported. Art galleries serve primarily as outlets for contemporary art while museums focus on displaying historical works from all time periods. Galleries rely heavily on sales of artwork whereas museums are largely dependent upon government funding as well as other sources such as private donations and grants.