Get together with your fellow artists. Instead of running the exhibition yourself, split the rent and the jobs required for the exhibition. For example, a graphic artist friend makes the fliers or invitations while a social media-savvy friend advertises through different online networks.
Contact various factories around your area. Ask for weekly or monthly rental prices for the space inside. Talk to the factory owner and describe your exhibition plans. Visit factories that emerge as possible sites for your exhibition. This allows you to thoroughly inspect the area and also gives you an idea of how large the space is. Select a factory that features enough room and does not cost too much money.
Plan the exhibition. Sketch out floor plans for seating, standing room and exhibition areas. Agree on a range of dates and a time for the exhibition. Ensure that opening night is on a night that has minimal events planned at other venues nearby.
Begin setting up the exhibition. Do a “rough draft” setup so you can get a look at what the exhibition will look like. Set up art exhibition areas or the stage for a living art exhibition. Take measurements of paintings and sculptures. Properly space out the area on the walls for the paintings and on the floor for the sculptures. Do your rough draft early. This ensures you have enough time for stage or exhibit adjustments.
Finalize the guests list. Get an overview of how many people are coming on opening night. Take into account dates or friends that guests may bring.
Arrange the right amount of seating. Plan for enough seating for all guests, especially for live exhibits that involve a performance everyone will want to see at a certain time.
Finalize your catering or refreshments. Exhibitions do not need an ample amount of food and drink. Provide guests with water, soda or alcohol, if needed. For exhibitions on a budget, provide cookies or hors d'oeuvres.
Prepare for questions and answers. Some exhibitions feature a question-and-answer time with the artists. Prepare answers for a variety of questions pertaining to your work and the theme of your work.
Agree on a set donation amount. While donations are not required at exhibitions, they do help the featured artists pay for rent on the factory or for other exhibitions. Set up a donation area at the front of the factory.
Finalize your floor plan and exhibition areas. Ensure all lighting is in working order. Look over your paintings and sculptures once more. Be certain all the artists' names are prominently displayed near their work.
Conduct a run through of the exhibition with the other artists. Have each artists do a walk through of their exhibition. Run through any live performances.