Since starting the Free Little Art Gallery Oak Park in March 2021, we’ve continued to learn and experiment in the gallery. Here are my top five takeaways and tips.
- Just do it. It can be easy to overthink starting a FLAG. What will the neighbors think? Will there be enough art coming through? Is there a risk of vandalism? How I am “supposed” to do it? It’s an experiment. You will get information. You will learn and grow and switch things up as needed. You can’t do that unless you start.
- Keep your audiences in mind. My gallery is across from an elementary school in a neighborhood with lots of kids. I keep stickers in the gallery so there’s always something there for them. Decide what works best based on where you are. In my case, because of this audience and to make the gallery more accessible, we lowered it last year.
- Keep a back stock of items to add when it gets slow. I pick up postcards when I am traveling. Do whatever works for you.
- Have a plan for coverage and maintenance. If I am out of town, I ask a neighbor to check it. I have another neighbor who helped with maintenance when the door was broken. If your community enjoys it, they will likely be happy to be included in plans to care for the gallery.
- Keep your “why” at the center of it. Maybe you are starting your gallery to connect with your community, provide art supplies, showcase local artists, all of the above. Let the joy of why you are doing it guide you at times when you feel uncertain about it. You may be bringing great joy or at least light amusement to your neighbors, and that’s part of being in a community that feels welcoming.
Tyler adds: If you’re feeling inspired to start your own gallery, see the “Start your own” page for information on gallery design, placement, publicity, and more!