A fairer gallery model: how our commission works

Pink Seaweed takes 30% commission on work sold through the gallery. The artist receives 70%.

That is lower than the 50% often associated with traditional galleries. It is a deliberate choice. Artists need to be paid fairly and the gallery also needs to cover the real cost of selling their work.

The commission pays for a town-centre space, staffing, card fees, packaging, displays, photography, marketing and the day-to-day work of talking to customers about the person behind each piece. It also creates a place where people can discover artists they did not already know.

There is no exclusivity. Artists remain free to sell through their own channels and elsewhere. Work needs to be ready to display and made on the Isle of Man. Those simple rules keep the gallery focused and make the arrangement clear for everyone.

A fair model has to work for both sides. If the artist cannot make a proper return, the creative ecosystem becomes unsustainable. If the gallery cannot cover its costs, the physical space disappears. The 30% model is Pink Seaweed's way of keeping those interests aligned.

When somebody buys a piece, they are not only supporting one artist. They are supporting the shop window, the conversations, the exhibitions and the next person who gets the confidence to put their work forward.

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