Frequently Asked Questions
What is MADA?
The Milwaukee Art Dealers Association (MADA) is a non-profit membership organization of Milwaukee’s commercial galleries, museums, universities and other non-profit exhibit venues dedicated to high standards of professionalism. Its purposes are to encourage the appreciation and education of the visual arts, to stimulate the business climate for art, and to develop an awareness of Milwaukee as an outstanding arts community.
What is Gallery Night?
Gallery Night was founded by the MADA over 20 years ago as means to encourage
gallery attendance and expand awareness of the diversity and depth of the visual arts.
Since then it has grown into Milwaukee’s premier art event, often with audiences
of several thousand diverse art lovers touring sites throughout the downtown area.
Currently administrated by the Historic Third Ward Association, the event has over 60
sites, anchored by a core group of MADA galleries and museums.
Other activities and joint projects are initiated annually. Please watch our website for
additional information on upcoming events.
How can I determine which gallery can best sell artwork that I own?
If you purchased your art work from a MADA gallery, it would be best to start there,
particularly if they still represent that artists or that type of artwork. If you purchased
the art elsewhere, do some research on MADA galleries on this site or on their own sites.
Stop in or call the gallery if you need further information.
How can I find a gallery to represent me as an artist?
Again, do some research on this site and on the individual gallery sites linked to it.
Determine which gallery shows work that is similar to yours. Call the gallery if you
have questions or wish to make an appointment to have someone review your work. The
MADA non-profit galleries and museums often exhibit the work of local artists, however,
since hey are more educationally oriented, they are rarely involved in the active selling of
the art they exhibit.
How do I determine the value of my artwork?
Contact the gallery where you purchased the work or contact an art appraiser.
How can I become a member of MADA?
Membership in MADA is obtained by a majority vote of its current members. There are
specific requirements for membership such as your gallery has to be in business for at
least two years, you have to have consistent regular hours of operation, your business
practices have to maintain a high level of integrity and honesty, and you have to pay an
initiation fee and annual membership fee. Call one of the member galleries for further
information.