What Does It Take to Become an Art Consultant?
An art consultant serves as a link between a buyer and an artist or artwork. You can merge art and business as an art consultant, advising customers on various types of art and how they might fit into their collections.
From businesses and universities to museums and individual collectors, you can work for a wide range of clientele. We'll go over what an art consultant does, how much they make, and how to become one in this post.
What is an art consultant?
An art consultant, sometimes known as an art advisor, is a specialist who advises corporations and people on what art to buy. Whether they are trying to beautify a place, invest in art, or establish a collection, an art consultant acts as a representation for their client, counseling on prices and artwork that meet their aims.
Art consultants usually focus on one area, such as business counseling or functioning as an expert on a specific artist, era, or type of art.
What is the role of an art consultant?
The consultant employs their broad understanding of both art and business to select appropriate artwork and determine a reasonable price for it. From their targeted budget to the style and quality they want from their purchase, an art consultant develops a full grasp of what their customer wants.
They can develop a visual identity for a collection that delivers an intended message or sets a mood using curatorial skills and a good style.Ā Other parts of art ownership, such as keeping inventory and coordinating transit, may be handled by some consultants. They can help you decide how to best exhibit the art so that it reflects the theme and complements the environment.
An art consultant for an institution, such as a museum, may assess the quality or authenticity of a piece of art or provide advice on how to best integrate it into a present collection. An art consultant keeps a close eye on the art world and business in order to spot fresh talent and negotiate the best bargains for their clients.
What does an art consultant earn?
Art Consultant salaries in the United States range from $17,628 to $466,435 per year, with a median compensation of $84,020. Art Consultants in the middle earn between $84,020 and $211,452, with the top 86 percent earning $466,435.
What is the source of income for an art consultant?
Art consultants typically earn money by charging varying prices for different tasks. For example, you may charge a flat fee for collecting works of art for collectors, or you could negotiate a percentage fee in which you receive a portion of the total price.
HOW TO BECOME AN ART COLLECTOR
What are the steps to become an art consultant?
A successful career as an art consultant might come from a variety of possibilities or experiences. The following are some steps to becoming an art consultant:
Work for a firm, a museum, a consulting firm, or an auction house
Seek opportunities as a consultant once you've gained some expertise in the creative sector. Many businesses and NGOs, including museums, auction houses, and consultancy agencies, use art consultants on a regular basis.
Some private enterprises, particularly those with multiple locations or franchises, may hire their own art advisors. You can establish a name for art consulting and start collecting references and referrals in these positions. You can also learn about the latest developments in legislation, business ethics, and pricing.
Establish business relationships
As you gain experience, carefully build your business network. You can get a career as a consultant by networking with sellers and collectors in galleries.
You can also contact other artists to discover more about their work and how it might fit into different collections. Using social media can also help you establish a reputation and connect with new artists.
Work in a gallery or museum to gain experience in the art world
Try to begin gaining relevant experience while in college or after graduation. Working in a gallery can provide you with valuable insight into the sales process as well as the logistics of packaging, transporting, and presenting art.
Working in a gallery may allow you to form ties with new artists and observe how they achieve success. Working in a museum can provide you with a unique perspective on the art world and teach you how to handle vast art collections. You can learn how to move and show works that are older or more delicate than those in a gallery in a safe manner.
You might also learn about the most up-to-date preservation and restoration procedures, depending on the institution. Leading tours can help you become more comfortable talking to a wide range of individuals and have a better understanding of how the general public views art.
Work on your own
Decide exactly what sort of art you'd like to engage with and who you'd prefer as clients if you want to operate as an independent art consultant. If you have a passion for a certain period or artist, you may be able to get a job with institutions and collectors who specialize in that period or artist.
You may search for longer-term partnerships with hotels or hospitals if you prefer choosing art that portrays a specific vibe. Consider what other abilities you have that clients could find useful, such as display experience or knowledge of art as an investment.
Get a degree in art
Art advisors should be well-versed in different aspects of art, including methods, genres, mediums, and epochs. Majors in art history or fine art at the university level can provide this knowledge. Curatorial studies, art management, and art business are some of the other degrees that might offer you the business skills needed to be a consultant.
You can seek to know about art movements, distinct schools, processes and historical records of art-making technology, and art's cultural impact during your art studies. Once you've developed a strategy, tap into your network to find your initial clients. Then, by remaining involved in the art scene, ask for referrals from business contacts or previous customers, and take full advantage of word-of-mouth marketing.
An art consultant must possess a wide range of abilities
To win customers' trust and stay connected to artists and collectors, an art consultant must have good interpersonal communication skills, particularly in person.
Perceptiveness: Because clients have a wide range of preferences, an art consultant should be able to detect what they are seeking for without relying on their own desires as a guide.
Knowledge of the arts: An understanding of art history can aid an art consultant in understanding the context of certain pieces of art. You may create a specific clientele, appropriately estimate works of art, and gauge genuineness and age by specializing in a given era, artist, or medium.
Curatorial abilities: Because an art consultant may also be in charge of the display of the art they select, they must have some curatorial and restoration skills as well as a working knowledge of the art industry.
UnderstandingĀ of the art business: An art consultant's record-keeping and management skills might assist them in navigating sales and arranging transportation of artworks. Working as an art consultant. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you begin consulting:
Good corporate ethics should be followed
Because art consultants work with significant contracts and precious artwork, it's critical to maintain the highest level of corporate ethics. Transparency in your company's activities might help you establish a positive reputation.
Maintain your anonymity
Clients put a lot of faith in art advisors, and many art buyers expect them to keep their personal information secret. To safeguard client confidentiality, only reveal the information that is absolutely essential while you work.
Keep up with the times
Even if you only consult in one area, make an effort to attend events and stay prominent in the art community. New artists, trends, and discoveries emerge all the time, and remaining current will gain you recognition as an art authority. You can also broaden your expertise and enhance your service offerings in the future.
