What is the difference between a gallery and a museum?

Question

Does anyone know the difference? I need specific details, thanks.

Answer 1

A gallery is a raised area, often having a stepped or sloping floor, in a theater, church, or other public building to accommodate spectators, exhibits, etc. A gallery is also a room, series of rooms, or building devoted to the exhibition and often the sale of works of art.

A museum is a building or place where works of art, scientific specimens, or other objects of permanent value are kept and displayed. The exhibits in a museum are typically not for sale.

Answer 2

A gallery is a space where artwork is exhibited. A gallery or several galleries can be found in a museum. Portrait Gallery, European Masters gallery etc. are examples of galleries found in museums. These galleries are usually large areas that extend from one wing of the museum to the next. If you asking about a typical gallery that you would find as a retail business, then a Gallery is a place where exhibited work is offered for sale to the general public. This type of gallery is usually privately owned and operated. A gallery makes its profits through sales of its artists. Most galleries get 50% of the artists' sales. See this link for an example of a Gallery http://www.johnpence.com/overview/index.htm

A Museum is a Public building which houses artifacts that are universally accepted as rare and priceless. Generally these artifacts are not for public purchase. Museums can be privately and publicly funded. See this link for the Met in NYC http://www.metmuseum.org/

Answer 3

A gallery is usually a "for profit" entity.

There are small, non-profit galleries, which show a number various exhibitions a year, but those don't collect work, they just temporarily show them. These galleries usually have a "suggested donation" entry fee, or have memberships, or both to make funds for their operation.

A Museum usually is non-profit, and also COLLECTS works (whereas a gallery sells works). Larger institutions like MoMA, Guggenheim, The MET and metropolitan-based museums (Denver Museum of Art, Seattle Museum of Art, etc.) can exhibit their permanent collections and also host temporary exhibitions which can feature works lent by other institutions. There are a few museums of this nature that still have no entry fee, but most larger musuems now charge an entrance fee to supplement any investments and donations.


Another kind of Museum can have a "gifted" collection, as in the Gardner Museum in Boston. There, they have and show the works given to the institution from a private collector (usually upon their death). That kind of museum usually operates with some kind of HUGE monetary endowment (which is usually well invested so that the institution can run minimally with the interest). They may also have suggested donations.

Answer 4

Galleries are usually privately-owned. One, or a few visual artists will get together, rent some space and expose some art that they feel represents them. They usually also give the opportunity to contact the artists and purchase some art.
Museums, on the other hand, are publicly owned. A curator, usually aided by a number of directors, especially in larger museums, decides which pieces to acquire (They have an acquisition budget). They try to get diverse works from diverse artists, although some museums can be quite specialized (In Inuit art, for example).

Answer 5

In Glasgow, we've the Kelvingrove artwork Gallery AND museum. the distinction is that a museum shows artefacts from the previous, and crammed animals, mummies etc. An artwork gallery shows artwork and sculptures we've mixed both.

Answer 6

Well, a museum usually houses priceless works of art. Everything from Da Vinci to Dali.

A gallery is essentially a store where artwork is on display for the purpose of selling it.

Answer 7

A gallery sells art and a museum only displays it.

Answer 8

a gallery primarily features artwork such as skulptures and paintings. Also they are smaller and privately owned. Often the artist will throw a party at their gallery so everyone can see their work. (modest rite). A museum has all kinds of artifacts, it can consist of cars, tools, mummies or art. there can be museums that have only art, but they usually feature many artists, who are dead.

Answer 9

A gallery displays only works of art (paintings, sculpture etc).

A museum displays information and related objects of interest; these can be historical, scientific, whatever, depending on the 'theme' of the museum.

Answer 10

A museum has art to see-a gallery has art to buy.