who we are
Sixteen Gallery is a contemporary art gallery and artists' collective. Rooted in our space in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, we bring together a community of practising artists, creating opportunities to exhibit alongside a digital platform where artists can curate portfolios, share their work and amplify their exhibitions and practice.
THE GALLERY
Sixteen Gallery is an artist-run, rentable exhibition space founded by artists Andy and his son, Arthur, in the summer of 2021. Located in Montpellier, Cheltenham, at the heart of the town’s Art Quarter, our gallery sits within a vibrant area where Regency character meets contemporary creative culture.
Artists can hire our beautiful gallery space for one or two-week exhibitions, taking full control of curating, installing, and stewarding their own shows. Unlike many traditional galleries, we take no commission on sales from these independently run exhibitions, giving artists complete ownership over both their work and its presentation.
Our ethos has always been to support as many artists as possible along their journey, navigating the challenges of being a professional artist. We aim to make exhibiting as achievable as possible by keeping hire costs competitive, encouraging both solo and group exhibitions, and opening up space for artists to thrive.
Alongside our rented exhibition programme, we dedicate several weeks each year to our Collective members, open-call opportunities, and community-focused exhibitions. Selected works are exhibited as part of professionally curated shows, and we operate on a reduced commission of 30% on sales—significantly lower than many commercial galleries.
Through this model, Sixteen Gallery supports artists at all stages of their careers, providing a platform to exhibit, build confidence, connect with audiences, and, for many, take important steps toward sustained professional practice.
THE Collective
The Sixteen Gallery Collective is an artist-led community built to support, connect, and champion practising artists. Growing out of our physical gallery, it creates space and opportunity for artists to be seen, build connections, and develop their practice, both within the gallery and beyond it.
Run by artists, for artists, the collective is grounded in community. We believe in the strength of artists supporting one another — sharing knowledge, creating opportunities, and building meaningful connections. Our focus is on creating an environment where both emerging and established artists can develop their practice and share their work with confidence.
At its core, the Sixteen Gallery Collective offers a professional platform for artists to present their work with clarity and control. Members build their own portfolios, shaping how their practice is seen and sharing details of exhibitions and other gallery partnerships, while connecting directly with visitors. We take no commission, ensuring artists retain the full value of their work.
Our membership model is intentionally accessible, designed to empower artists while sustaining a growing network of opportunities. It supports exhibitions, events, and targeted promotion, raising the profile of both individual artists and the collective as a whole.
Throughout the year, members are offered opportunities to exhibit at the gallery, creating space for visibility, connection, and development.
share YOUR work
Build a professional portfolio in a dedicated space where visitors can explore your practice and latest work.
find your audience
Connect directly with collectors, visitors, and a wider creative network — without commission or barriers.
STAY inspired
Be part of a supportive, artist-led community with strong links to a working gallery.
The Sixteen Gallery Collective is built on a simple idea: artists supporting artists.
join the collective
Sixteen Gallery Collective is open to practising artists who want to be part of a supportive, artist-led community and gain greater visibility for their work.
Membership is just £100 for a year, and offers a dedicated space to build and curate your own professional portfolio on our platform. As a member, you can share your practice with visitors, promote your upcoming exhibitions and events, and be featured across our website, newsletter, and social media channels.
While we don’t consider ourselves the keepers of the keys or arbiters of what is good or bad art, we are very conscious of maintaining this platform as a space for strong contemporary practice, driven by professionalism and care. We care about the artists represented here, and the overall standard and integrity of the collective.
If you believe you would be a good fit and would like to join us, please register your interest below with your email and a link to where we can see your work — this could be your website or social media. We’d love to welcome new artists to the collective and continue growing a thoughtful, engaged community.