Why Gallery Artist Exclusivity Clauses Are Outdated and Harmful to Artists

Artist exclusivity clauses in gallery contracts have long been treated as standard practice in the art world. Traditionally, galleries used exclusivity agreements to protect their investment in promoting an artist, building collector relationships, and shaping the artist’s market. While that model may have once made sense in a more limited and localized art economy, today it often feels outdated, restrictive, and misaligned with how contemporary artists actually build successful careers.