Sustainability for commercial galleries
Result of a competition in Berlin 2022
Introduce online presence and digital sales channels
Thomas Behling. Map of Berlin (2020) “This historical map still shows numerous small islands that initially existed in the area of the sunken city of Berlin after the poles melted, but which quickly fell victim to currents and tides.”
Launch online store
Introduce online gallery, online viewing room, QR code for customer access.
Implement augmented reality with the goal of increasing online sales
Offer exhibition videos to reach customers outside of Berlin
Set up QR code for cell phone to save print
Offer digital talks and studio visits
Offer digital interviews of the artists in studios
Offer 3D presentation online
In virtual studio visits artists:inside guide through their work
Trade fairs
Participate in fewer trade fairs
Abandonment of non-European art fairs
Train instead of flight in Europe
Exhibitions
Extend exhibition duration
Reduce catalog circulation: print small runs digitally first and order additional copies as needed
Exhibit in the region, offer local food
On-site art education: QR codes instead of brochures are available for exhibition visitors, saving paper and printing costs.
Volunteer to run a project room in the Uckermark region of Germany
Transportation
Avoid flights, instead train, road with car, truck, bike courier service.
Replace business car with e-car
Combine transports with other galleries
Even ride with art transport
Asia – Fair: Cooperate with other galleries saves staff and flights
Production of the works on site
The artists themselves are sent in advance to a kind of residency in foreign countries to produce on location. Thus, only one person travels in an airplane economy and not several large heavy boxes.
Packing
Notes to artists:inside about NH packaging
Reuse packaging of the works
Include reuse of packaging in correspondence with customers
Store used packaging for reuse
Use sustainable packaging
Expand alternative packaging and gradually switch to innovative packaging such as ARTPAKK, which helps save on bubble wrap and tape
Transport images rolled where possible
For bubble wrap use extra adhesive tapes that can be removed completely
Repackaging: Discussions with the artists led to appropriate handling and thus to reuse
Packing silk made from recycled paper instead of white
For outbound deliveries, the packaging materials are brought back with them and stored sorted by size for reuse. Packaging shall only remain with the customer if he confirms that he has a use for it.
Packing silk is neatly folded again after deliveries and reused.
Only use packing blankets for sculptures for transport. These are reused after an initial fitting.
Material of the artists:inside
No NFTs, since high CO₂ product
Artists:inside use found material
Operation
Employees receive subsidy for BVG ticket
Employees come by bike
Sustainable electricity supplier, e.g. Bürgerwerke
Hire eco-cleaning company, like Klara Green
Combining locations saves transports
Co-sharing of the rooms
Lighting system converted to LED
Create Green Team
Regularly record CO₂, calculate
Offer and borrow exhibition materials (pedestals, tables, electronics) on platform of GCC
Buy materials to be used on the second-hand market – such as Ebay or the material mafia – and give them back in the end also via these platforms
Be an active member of the GCC
Gallery program addresses sustainability issues
Drywall exhibition walls
All invitations digital
Newsletter digital
Digital portfolios
Replacing the light strips and spotlights with LED
Automate lighting time
Exhibition: room temperature 19 degrees or less, workplace according to workplace guidelines
Work from home
Separate waste
Green power
Water-based floor cooling of the gallery rooms instead of air conditioning
Conversion of windows to glazing with heat-insulating glass panes at own expense
Printed materials (invitation cards, envelopes, catalogs, etc.) are printed in a climate-neutral way by purchasing certificates via climatepartner.com
Other
Finding sustainable sponsors
The basis is the Galeries for Future competition
Possible addition
Mail – Shrink files
Specifications for artists:inside for NH material
Green power for website
Arrival: Call public transport for audience
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