SaskGalleries: Celebrating 25 Years of Art Excellence

Creative Saskatchewan funds seven industry associations, helping them achieve their mandates to support Saskatchewan’s creative small businesses and creative producers, and helping build extraordinary businesses. We have been serving as the primary funding agency for SaskGalleries since 2013.

SaskGalleries, officially known as the Saskatchewan Professional Art Galleries Association, is a not-for-profit organization that represents commercial art galleries in Saskatchewan. Celebrating their 25th year in 2025, they continue to promote, develop, and encourage the growth of professional commercial art galleries that exhibit and sell original works of art.

Executive Director Kristin Wagman remarked, “It’s a year of celebration for SaskGalleries as we head into our 25th anniversary, and we sincerely thank Creative Saskatchewan for their support over the last twelve years. Their funding helped us host international showcases of fine art, and continues to help us run marketing campaigns, annually produce the only fine art fair on the Canadian prairies, support our operations, and more. Creative Saskatchewan is a great partner for SaskGalleries, and we look forward to continuing to grow the Association and the commercial gallery industry in Saskatchewan together.”

They maintain excellence by ensuring that member galleries represent professional artists, pay them fairly, price art in line with national standards, and are knowledgeable about the art and artists they carry.

Creative Saskatchewan proudly supports SaskGalleries’ activities for members, including the annual Art Now Fine Art Fair, celebrating its 10th edition this year, Saskatchewan Art Gallery Day, celebrating its 5th anniversary this year, ShopTheGalleries.ca, now showing its 24th online exhibition, and much more.

For an even greater fine art experience for Saskatchewan, last year SaskGalleries and the Saskatchewan Craft Council started hosting Art Now and the new Craft Is… Fine Craft Market in one location to create an unforgettable weekend celebrating the visual arts community.

Membership with SaskGalleries is open to various entities within the fine art industry in Saskatchewan. Full members are professional commercial art galleries, while associate members include emerging galleries, artist collectives, businesses, and organizations. Affiliate memberships are available to individuals and institutions contributing to the commercial art market’s success, and honorary memberships recognize significant past contributions. Members benefit from SaskGalleries’ tireless support for their galleries.

Member galleries offer a wide range of services beyond selling art. These include appraisals, custom commissions, consultations and private viewings, corporate services, custom framing, financing options, installation and re-installations, private event hosting, and shipping and delivery. Each gallery is equipped to provide personalized support to collectors, businesses, and art enthusiasts, ensuring a comprehensive and professional experience in acquiring and managing art.

From navigating the purchase of professional artwork and caring for it, to selling your original pieces in a gallery, SaskGalleries provides advice to make your gallery experience less intimidating.

When it comes to funding artists and commercial galleries—that’s where we come in! Creative Saskatchewan’s role is to help clients navigate the grant application process from start to finish, review applications for eligibility, ensure applications are vetted by industry professionals, and invest in projects with economic potential. Creative Saskatchewan offers several grants related to Craft & Visual Arts:

The Craft & Visual Arts Production Grant supports craft persons and visual artists in the production of creative products intended for the commercial marketplace.

The Showcase or Sell Travel Grant helps cover the costs of travel expenses to specific market opportunities.

Creative entrepreneurs are also eligible to apply for our Business Improvement grant and Marketing grant.

Industry associations like SaskGalleries directly contribute to the cultural and economic landscape of our province with the important work that they do.

To learn more about SaskGalleries and their members, visit them online at www.saskgalleries.ca or check out the Art Now Fine Art Fair at www.artnow.ca. You can even tour the 2024 Art Now show at https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=mZWN6ZNkxB4.

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