When an artist searches for a gallery or a gallery searches for new talent, they often do not restrict themselves to options within their own city. Artists (particularly those living in cities other than the major cultural hubs) may not necessarily find a local gallery which can sell their work; galleries, in turn, may not necessarily find the type of artist they want to represent by merely searching locally.

With the increase of scams targeting artists, both galleries and artists are encouraged to proceed more carefully when dealing with parties from out-of-town.

Artists who are solicited by out-of-town galleries or agents for representation can protect themselves by:

• using official online phone directories to confirm whether the gallery or agent exists
• consulting gallery/agent associations in their area to see whether the gallery or agent is a member (remember that not being a member doesn't mean they aren't legitimate, but being a member increases their legitimacy and gives you a place to go if you need to file a grievance)
• searching the internet for information about the gallery/agent (are there warnings that the gallery/agent is fake? are there other warnings? beware of positive reviews from unknown artists because there is always the chance the reviews were planted)
• calling or, if possible, visiting the gallery/agent to gauge their trustworthiness

Remember: always go with your gut instinct. Although the being "discovered" is a dream for artists, we need to ensure that it is the real thing!

If you decide to work with the gallery, ensure you solicit the help of a lawyer to ensure that your contract covers things like the geographic region the gallery is allowed to handle (this will prevent problems in the future if you have your work placed in another gallery). You will also need to ensure the contract indicates where litigation and mediation will occur if they are necessary---the laws in different areas are not always the same.

When working with an out-of-town gallery, risk of losing your artwork while it is at the gallery is higher because you aren't there to keep an eye on things. Your contract with the gallery should also clearly indicate that your artwork is yours, and is to be returned to you if they are not sold or if the gallery becomes bankrupt. You will also want to keep good records of your inventory and what you have sent to the gallery.

Taxes and customs can also be issues, and you should contact your local tax and customs offices for more information.