The Gallery is a curated platform connecting studios, agencies and brands, with vetted freelancers within the creative industry. See who's free — right now, this week, in two weeks.
Every freelancer carries a live green, amber or red availability signal. Know who's free before you even pick up the phone.
Every creative is reviewed before they're listed. Portfolio quality assessed. Reputation verified. 400 people — all worth your time.
Premium subscribers get notified the moment a previously booked freelancer becomes available again. Your bench, remembered.
Studio subscriptions from £149/month. No placement fees. Just access to the right people at the right time.
Subscriptions at £499 per month. No additional fees.
Reach the right people. Every role posted here goes directly to The Gallery's community of vetted creative freelancers and talent — people who care about craft, not just any job.
Tell us who you are. This is what studios will see first.
Show us what you do. A portfolio link or PDF, a short bio, and your specialisms.
Studios search by availability first. Be accurate — and keep it fresh.
Here's how studios will see you. Happy with it?
Your profile is with us. We review every application personally — you'll hear back within 5 working days.
These go out automatically. Written to feel like a person sent them — because at this stage, one did.
Hi [first name],
Thanks for applying to The Gallery. We've got your details and we'll review your portfolio properly — not a quick skim, an actual look.
We're selective because the studios we work with expect a certain standard. That's what makes being on here worth something.
You'll hear from us within 5 working days either way. If we think there's a fit, the next step is a quick call to understand what kind of work you're looking for and make sure we can match you with the right people.
In the meantime — if anything changes on your availability, just reply to this email and we'll update it.
Hi [first name],
Your profile is live on The Gallery. Studios and agencies can now see you when they search.
One thing that makes a real difference: keeping your availability updated. Freelancers who do it regularly are 10× more likely to land the better briefs. It takes 10 seconds — just reply to this email, drop us a WhatsApp, or update on the site.
We'll nudge you every two weeks so you don't have to think about it. All you need to send is something like "available now" or "free in 2 weeks" — we'll handle the rest.
Welcome to the list.
Hi [first name],
Thanks for getting in touch. We've got your request and we'll have your studio access set up within 24 hours.
When you're in, you'll be able to see the full talent pool with live availability signals, save freelancers to your watchlist, and get notified automatically when someone you've worked with before becomes free again.
If you have a specific brief you're trying to fill right now, just reply to this and I'll pull a shortlist together before your account goes live. Quicker than waiting.
Speak soon.
Hi [first name],
Two weeks since your last update. Just reply to this email with one of the following:
· Available now
· Free in 1 week
· Free in 2 weeks
· Free in 4 weeks
· Booked up
That's it. We'll update your profile and make sure studios searching right now can find you. Freelancers who keep their status current are 10× more likely to get the better briefs.
Or update directly: thegallery.global
Hi [first name],
It's been about a month since we heard from you — just wanted to check in.
If you're deep in a project, that's great. When you come up for air, a quick status update means studios searching right now can find you — and we can make sure the right people have you on their radar before you're free.
When you're ready, just reply with where you're at:
· Still booked — free around [date]
· Available now
· Free in the next few weeks
No pressure — just keeping your profile working for you in the background.
Hi [contact name],
Just flagging — [freelancer first name] [freelancer last name], who worked with you on [project name], is free in two weeks.
Their status updated this morning. You're getting this because you saved them to your watchlist.
[Freelancer name] · [Role] · Available from [date]
If you've got something coming up, now's the time to reach out — they tend to book up quickly once they update their status.
If this timing doesn't work, we'll alert you again the next time they update.
Hi [contact name],
[Freelancer first name] is currently booked up and unavailable until [expected free date].
They've seen your enquiry and we've logged it. You'll get an alert automatically when their status updates — usually before they're officially free, so you can get in early.
In the meantime, here are [three] freelancers with a similar profile who are available now:
[Similar freelancer 1] · [Role] · Available now
[Similar freelancer 2] · [Role] · Free in 1 week
[Similar freelancer 3] · [Role] · Free in 1 week
Let me know if any of these are worth a look, or if you'd rather wait for [first name].
Directly, between you. The Gallery is not involved in payment. Once you've agreed terms with a freelancer, you pay them as you would any other supplier — via invoice, bank transfer, or however you normally handle freelance engagements. We don't take a percentage of the booking and we don't process payments.
IR35 compliance is your responsibility as the hiring organisation. The Gallery provides a platform to find and connect with freelance talent — we do not make determinations about employment status. If you're unsure about IR35 and your specific engagement, we strongly recommend taking advice from an employment lawyer or accountant before the work begins.
Yes — right to work verification is the legal responsibility of the hiring studio. The Gallery does not carry out these checks. Freelancers are encouraged to note their working situation on their profile, but you should conduct your own verification as required by UK law.
Let us know. Email hello@thegallery.global with the details and we'll note it on the account. We take quality seriously — that's the point of curation. Persistent issues with a freelancer may result in their removal from the platform.
Full access to the talent pool with live availability signals, your saved watchlist with real-time alerts, automatic notifications when previously-booked freelancers become free, the weekly digest of freelancers who've expressed interest in your studio, jobs board access, and direct contact with freelancers through the platform. No booking fees. No hidden costs.
Subscriptions have a 6-month minimum commitment. After that, they roll monthly and you can cancel with 30 days' notice. We don't offer refunds on committed periods, but if something's genuinely not working for you, get in touch and we'll find a solution.
Yes. You can save as many freelancers as you like to your watchlist and reach out to multiple people for the same brief. We'd just ask you to be transparent with people about where you're at — freelancers invest time in responding to briefs and appreciate honesty.
You invoice the studio directly. The Gallery is not involved in payment or contracts between you and the studios you work with. You set your own rate, agree your own terms, and manage your own invoicing. We're the introduction platform — the working relationship is between you and the studio.
You're responsible for your own tax position. If you're not already registered as self-employed with HMRC, you'll need to do that. We'd recommend working with an accountant — especially as your freelance income grows. We can't give tax advice, but happy to point you in the right direction.
Yes. The Gallery lists talent globally. However, right to work in the UK is a matter between you and the hiring studio — we don't verify this and studios are responsible for their own checks. Be transparent on your profile about your location and working situation. Studios hiring for on-site London work will need to satisfy themselves that you can legally work in the UK.
Your profile has a location field and a "works remote / on-site" field — use these honestly. If you're on a nomad visa, working remotely from abroad, or have any restrictions on where you can work, note it on your profile. Studios who need on-site London presence will filter accordingly. The Gallery takes no responsibility for any legal issues arising from working arrangements between studios and freelancers.
Yes — we don't require exclusivity. We'd just ask that you keep your availability status accurate. If you're booked through another platform, mark yourself as booked here too. Studios rely on the signal being honest.
Verified status is earned by consistently updating your availability (at minimum every two weeks) for three or more months, and having at least one confirmed booking through the platform. It's awarded by us — you can't apply for it. Keep your status fresh and it'll come naturally.
It's a two-stage process. First, a set of AI tools check the basics — whether a portfolio link is live, whether CV dates add up, whether anything required is missing. Then a member of The Gallery team reviews what's left and gives it the green light, making sure you're a real person and that your profile genuinely reflects what you've submitted.
Ultimately we want to give you the best possible shot at landing great work — that's the whole point of being on here. But we also owe it to the studios and brands on the platform to make sure everyone is who they say they are and that profiles live up to what's been submitted. That integrity is what makes the platform worth being on in the first place.
If you have a specific question about the process, feel free to reach out to info@thegallery.global and we'll do our best to help.
Freelancers who update their status regularly surface higher in studio searches. We don't publish the exact algorithm — but the principle is simple: fresh signal = more visible. A profile that hasn't been updated in six weeks will rank below one updated this morning, all else being equal.
Tell us. Email hello@thegallery.global. We built The Gallery partly because the existing systems don't protect freelancers well enough. We won't tolerate studios using the platform to waste people's time, lowball rates, or behave unprofessionally. Persistent offenders lose access.
Still have a question? Email us at hello@thegallery.global — we read everything and reply to everything.
The Gallery is an online platform that connects studios, agencies and brands with freelance creative talent. The Gallery is operated by Sam Winward trading as The Gallery, London, UK.
The Gallery is a technology platform, not a recruitment agency, employment agency, or staffing business as defined under the Employment Agencies Act 1973. We do not employ freelancers, act as their agent, or negotiate terms on their behalf.
Any engagement between a studio and a freelancer arranged through The Gallery is a matter between those two parties. The Gallery is not party to any contract between studios and freelancers.
Studios and hiring organisations are solely responsible for:
The Gallery makes no warranty, express or implied, about the suitability, qualifications, experience, or legal status of any freelancer listed on the platform.
Freelancers listed on The Gallery are responsible for their own tax affairs, including self-assessment, VAT registration where applicable, and compliance with IR35 where relevant. Freelancers are responsible for ensuring they have the legal right to work in any jurisdiction in which they accept engagements.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, The Gallery shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from: any engagement or dispute between a studio and a freelancer; any inaccuracy in a freelancer's profile or availability status; any failure to find suitable talent through the platform; or any decision made by either party in reliance on information provided through the platform.
Disputes between studios and freelancers are between those parties. The Gallery may, at its discretion, assist in resolving disputes where both parties agree, but has no obligation to do so and makes no guarantee of outcome. If a studio or freelancer believes the other has acted in bad faith, please notify us at hello@thegallery.global — we take platform integrity seriously and may take action including suspension of accounts.
These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from your use of The Gallery platform shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
For legal notices: hello@thegallery.global · The Gallery, London, UK
The Gallery is a curated freelance platform connecting creative studios, agencies and brands with vetted freelance talent. We are operated by Sam Winward trading as The Gallery, based in London, UK. For any privacy-related questions, contact us at hello@thegallery.global.
We collect only what we need to run the platform. Specifically:
For freelancers, our lawful basis is legitimate interest — you applied to join The Gallery and we process your data to provide the service you signed up for. For studios, our lawful basis is contract performance — we need your data to fulfil your subscription agreement.
Where we send you availability nudges or notifications, we do so on the basis of legitimate interest, as these are directly related to the service you've opted into.
Freelancers: Subscribed studios can see your name, role, availability status, day rate range, specialisms, portfolio link, and any studio endorsements on your profile. They cannot see your contact details (email or phone) until they initiate contact through the platform.
Studios: Freelancers browsing the studios directory can see your studio name, type, location, description, and placement count. Individual placements are anonymised in the freelancer view.
We do not sell your data to third parties. We do not share your data with advertisers.
We keep your data for as long as your account is active. If you request deletion, we will remove your profile and personal data within 30 days. Aggregated, anonymised data (e.g. "7 placements made in Q1") may be retained for platform analytics.
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
To exercise any of these rights, email us at hello@thegallery.global with "Data request" in the subject line. We will respond within 30 days.
If you provide a phone number to receive availability nudges, we use Twilio to send these messages. Your number is stored securely and used only for this purpose. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message, or by emailing us.
The Gallery uses only essential cookies required to run the platform (session management, authentication). We do not use advertising or tracking cookies. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though this may affect platform functionality.
We use industry-standard security measures to protect your data. All data is transmitted over HTTPS. Payment data is processed by Stripe, which is PCI DSS compliant — we never store card details ourselves.
We may update this policy as the platform evolves. We'll notify active users of material changes by email. The "last updated" date at the top of this page will always reflect the current version.
If you have a concern about how we handle your data that we haven't resolved to your satisfaction, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.
Contact us: hello@thegallery.global · The Gallery, London, UK
Tell us about your studio and we'll be in touch within 24 hours. Subscriptions from £149/month.
We'll respond within 24 hours. 10% booking fee on confirmed placements.
Are you looking to hire creative talent, or are you a freelancer looking to be found?
Studios subscribe from £499/month. The Gallery is free for freelancers.
The Gallery is invite-only and every application is reviewed. Anything missing or incorrect will be bounced back automatically — and you'll need to reapply. Please check the following before you submit.
Applications reviewed within 5 working days. The Gallery is free for freelancers.
Invite-only. We review every application personally. If you're the kind of creative studios trust, we want to hear from you.
We review every application within 5 working days.
We don't send your details directly to studios. Instead, Uncommon receives a weekly digest of available talent — curated by specialism and availability.
You can withdraw interest at any time from your profile. Studios see your availability and specialisms only — not your contact details.
Reach The Gallery's community of vetted creative talent. Every listing is reviewed before going live.
Roles go live within 24 hours after review. Payment collected on approval.
Four views into The Gallery — why people use it, what a studio profile looks like, what a freelancer profile looks like, how the platform communicates automatically, and how each side moves through the product.
This page is for anyone who wants to understand how The Gallery actually works — the product, the process, the principles, and the positioning. Jump to any section below.
When a studio subscribes they get a profile page visible to freelancers. It shows who they are, what they make, how they hire — and their history on the platform. Freelancers can express interest in being in their weekly digest.
Every freelancer has a profile showing their work, specialisms, experience, and — most importantly — their live availability signal. Studios can send a brief directly, save them to a watchlist, or get notified the moment they're free.
Every message states the issue, tells the recipient what to do, and sends them to the right place to fix it. No invitation to reply. No open-ended questions. One problem, one action, one link.
These fire automatically when an application fails a required check. The applicant is directed to reapply — not to reply.
Thanks for applying to The Gallery.
We can't verify your work without a portfolio link or website — it's a requirement for all applicants. Please reapply with a link included.
Thanks for applying to The Gallery.
The portfolio link you submitted isn't working — it may have a typo, or the page is currently down. We need to be able to view your work before we can consider your application.
Please reapply once your link is live and accessible.
Thanks for applying to The Gallery.
Your CV needs to show work from the last 6 months before we can list you — it's how we make sure every profile on the platform reflects where someone actually is right now, not where they were.
Please update your CV and reapply. Do not respond to this email with a new document — you'll need to go through the application form again.
Thanks for applying to The Gallery.
You've listed a broad range of specialisms. Studios search specifically — and a tighter list will actually get you in front of more of the right people, rather than fewer of the wrong ones. We ask applicants to list a maximum of five.
Please reapply with your strongest three to five disciplines.
Thanks for applying to The Gallery.
We'd like to see more recent work before we can list you — your portfolio doesn't quite reflect the seniority and day rate you've indicated. This isn't a rejection: we'd genuinely like to see you on the platform.
Please update your portfolio with your most recent work and reapply.
Thanks for applying to The Gallery.
The day rate you've listed looks like it may be a typo. Studios use this to filter searches — so it's important it's accurate. Please reapply with your correct day rate confirmed.
These go to freelancers and studios already on the platform. Warmer in tone — these are members, not applicants.
You're in.
Before your profile goes live, it's worth taking two minutes to check everything looks right. A complete profile — portfolio link, specific location, up-to-date CV — gets significantly more views than an incomplete one.
You have the option to review and edit it now before it goes live.
Keeping your availability updated is the single most important thing you can do once you're live. Studios search by availability first — a stale status means you won't show up at all.
Two weeks since your last update.
Update your status now so studios searching today can find you. Takes ten seconds.
Or reply to a WhatsApp or SMS nudge with your window — "free in 2 weeks", "booked until end of month" — and we'll handle the update automatically.
Your profile has been hidden from search results — we haven't received an availability update in 6 weeks.
Studios searching right now can't see you. Update your status to reappear immediately.
Even "booked up" counts — it tells studios when to expect you back. A profile with any status is visible. A profile with no status is not.
Thanks for getting in touch.
We've got your request and we'll have your studio access set up within 24 hours. You'll receive a separate email with your login details as soon as it's ready.
In the meantime — if you have a specific brief you're trying to fill right now, you can view available talent before your account is fully active.
[Freelancer name] updated their availability this morning. They're free in two weeks.
You worked with them on [project] in [month]. You're getting this because you have them saved to your watchlist.
[Freelancer name] · [Role]
Free from [date] · £[rate]/day · London
If the timing doesn't work, we'll alert you again the next time they update.
[Freelancer first name] is currently booked up until [date]. Your enquiry has been logged — they'll see it when they're free.
In the meantime, three freelancers with a similar profile are available now:
[Similar freelancer 1] · [Role] · Available now
[Similar freelancer 2] · [Role] · Free in 1 week
[Similar freelancer 3] · [Role] · Free in 1 week
Being on The Gallery means something. That meaning has to be defensible — for studios who rely on it, and for freelancers whose reputations depend on the company they keep.
Trust on The Gallery isn't self-declared. It's built in layers — each one harder to fake than the last.
Every applicant submits one named professional reference. The Gallery contacts them directly with three questions: did you work together, in what capacity, would you hire again.
Existing LinkedIn recommendations from named professionals. Public, named, cross-referenceable against stated work history.
Post-booking endorsements left by studios through The Gallery after a confirmed placement. Tied to a real transaction — cannot be submitted without a confirmed booking on record.
Exclusivity requires consequences. Being on The Gallery means something — and that meaning has to hold when things go wrong.
"We accept around 1 in 4 applicants. That number is a trust signal — it tells studios that being here means something."
Anonymised data on what each discipline commands — by seniority, location, specialism. Published monthly to all platform members. No other source has this data.
Personal data that shows how your update behaviour affects your visibility. "Freelancers who update every 14 days get 3× more profile views." Turns the signal from a rule into a tool.
Which disciplines are most in demand, hardest to find, and trending. Published on the 1st of each month. Helps studios plan 4–6 weeks ahead, not just react to immediate gaps.
Quarterly email listing every freelancer the studio has previously booked, with their current availability status. Automated institutional memory — no more losing track of people who worked.
State of the freelance market — rates, demand patterns, availability trends. Published publicly. The Gallery becomes the authority on how the creative freelance market moves.
A paid add-on for studios wanting deeper data. Cross-studio benchmarking, discipline trends, rate movement reports. Studios spending £50k+ on freelancers will pay for this.
From sign-up to placement — how each side of the platform moves through The Gallery.
Open questions and scenarios that need working through. Not problems — decisions.
Two subscription tiers. Both paid upfront. No booking fees, no placement commission, no rolling monthly. Studios commit and get immediate full access to the platform.
A percentage-based placement fee was seriously considered and modelled. The numbers work. The operations don't — there's no reliable way to track off-platform bookings, and one disputed invoice damages a studio relationship more than the fee is worth. The fee model becomes viable in Phase 2 when briefs flow through the platform as a required step. For now: clean, simple, impossible to dispute.
The Gallery is not just a platform — it is a community of the best creative freelancers in the UK. Brand building, community presence, and genuine industry insight are part of the product. A freelancer who follows The Gallery before they apply is already bought in.
By month 18 the brand should be doing nearly half the sales work. A studio that finds The Gallery through LinkedIn or a forwarded newsletter is already pre-sold — they arrive understanding the value before they've spoken to anyone.