I am the Vice President of the Liverpool Art Society NSW Australia.

I am about to create a site for our local Art Society, I have a CMS system now but I am after ideas about hosting Members artwork. We have 200 members which means 200 separate galleries that each member can upload to. I have Website Access Manager so that can control access for each. Our society is non for profit but we can charge to cover costs. So what software would be suitable and why. I will try CC's Photo gallery.
Also any other suggestion you think could enhance the site in any way please do. I am looking at existing sites for inspiration. I have the changeable content pages covered for things like events reports etc. Now it is the structure of the site. Also we run demonstrations and workshops and it would be nice to display the video and photos of those events for members to view. Covered is downloads of membership forms and other literature given out by our group. So any advice or suggestion will be appreciated.

Being able to have comments on your art work made by other users would probably be cool.

I wonder if a forum might be a good way for each member to have his/her own space to upload photos of artwork, painting demos and lessons, news....
So each artist has their own forum under which they can start threads for "new works" or whatever. A forum search would allow for viewers to find artists, types of art, etc. by keywords. Forums are designed to handle massive amounts of info and pics, as well as being easy for forum members to use. You can keep certain areas for members or paying viewers only (to view demos, for instance).
If the forum is active, it'll get quick notice by the Google bots. You could end up with some art-related ad revenue before long if you wanted it.

Thanks the two of you I will take your advice that is good stuff. The site will not be ready for our annual exhibition but when it is I shall advertise it in my signature. This CMS thing has grabbed me pretty tightly and it is like playing with a new toy. Yes I admit it I never grew up. Favourite cartoon "The Road Runner" I like the inventiveness of the Coyote. I feel strangely akin to the little guy.

I have the tools now and for interest have referenced a pdf file explaining How I will tackle the CMS part. I just re read it and found a ton of spelling mistakes actually letters missing. I have noted your suggestions for inclusion I will get a critique on it when I get a few critical pages finished