Characteristics of Multifunction Malaysian Art Galleries

Art galleries are known as places that exhibit both art and artworks such as paintings or sculpture. However, an art gallery is supposed to be a platform to enhance not only the quality of fine art but also as the introduction of new art and design products. Based on this notion, this study aimed to redefine the role of the art gallery in order to enhance the development of the art and design industry which not only includes exhibiting fine art artwork but also in terms of promoting and introducing new art and design products. In this research, the researchers first adopted an observation approach to collect data. Secondly, the researchers interviewed the gallery curators. Both government and private galleries were sampled. Structured questions were used in designing the questionnaire which focused on the role of the art gallery as an art centre as well as the function of the existing art galleries. Findings from this study focused on how art galleries in Malaysia did not have knowledge about the real function of art galleries and why they held to their strategies of making profits only from exhibiting fine art. This study should help to expand the functions of art galleries by promoting and exhibiting all types of art and design works. Also, public programming or activities such as art competitions and art seminars can be held in the art galleries as well.