The art industry is a broad term that encompasses a large assortment of professional areas. There are a variety of jobs essential for the art market to function properly. If you are looking for a way to apply your existing skills in this sector, this article is for you.
How to start pursuing a career in the art industry?
First, you have to evaluate your capabilities. Most of the jobs listed in this article will require you to have at least some professional degree. But do not worry — there are plenty of educational courses available today, which are cheaper and can be a great alternative to a university. Some of the basic in-demand skills in the art industry are:
- Business management
- Art history knowledge
- Communication
Of course, this is not a complete list, but experience in any of these areas will be extremely helpful when you first enter the job market.
Art industry career paths
Art adviser
Art advisers are people who evaluate artwork. This includes researching a piece’s authorship and provenance (a full list of people or institutions that owned it) and estimating its quality and condition. Art advisers often work in galleries and help collectors purchase the right work of art. Since this career path requires extensive knowledge, art advisers are usually expected to have an art history degree and work experience in a museum or art gallery. Art advisers can focus on specific movements, mediums, or periods, but they also have to be well-versed and able to provide valuable insight on as many questions as possible.
Gallery manager
Gallery managers must ensure everything, from exhibitions to documentation, goes smoothly. Responsibilities that you will be expected to fulfill might differ by place, but, in general, gallery managers communicate with artists, event planning, gallery promotion, and administration. In most cases, you will have to work up to becoming a gallery manager, as it is a high-responsibility position and requires a lot of prior training. It would be best to grasp art history and modern trends well. A background in management or business would be a great asset.
Conservator-restorer
Conservators and restorers preserve artwork to ensure it stays in good condition for years. Art conservation is a tedious process that requires a lot of skill and dedication, so this is not something you can pick up on a whim. Reputable art conservators have to work with pieces of historical value. For example, an antique religious icon kept in museum storage for a hundred years might need serious restoration. A conservator has to find a way to prevent an item from decaying and repair it while preserving its value. In many ways, conservators are a lot like artists because they must be able to copy the technique of the original master masterfully.
Art curator
Curators often share duties with gallery managers. However, while curators can sometimes take on organizational responsibilities, they mostly work with the art itself. They play a primary role in creating a concept for a new exhibition, selecting pieces that will be displayed, designing the display, and preparing labels. They also often deal with artwork acquisition and collection care, which includes keeping records and checking the condition of items. A large museum might have several art curators specializing in separate areas and managing different departments within the institution. This career path would be perfect for someone who wants to work with artists firsthand and express their creativity.
Art handler
This job is much less visible to the public than others, but it plays a major role in the art market. The art world would fall apart without art handlers. Every single work of art that you see at an exhibition has to get there somehow. Art handlers are the ones who manage the transportation of pieces and make sure they arrive at the destination safely. They usually work at art logistics companies providing various services, from art packing to shipping and installation.
If you want to choose this career path, you require special training, as art handlers rely on practical skills. For example, in some cases, they have to build a wooden art shipping crate from scratch to accommodate a particularly complex order. Art handlers also have to understand how packing materials function to prevent works of art from getting damaged. They work closely with auction houses, art fairs, museums, galleries, and individual clients. Finding a reliable art logistics company is crucial, so true experts are greatly valued in this line of work.
Art dealer
Art dealers buy and sell works of art. They act as middlemen between a buyer and a seller in many ways. For example, art dealers receive requests from collectors or art galleries looking for a new piece for their collection. Your job as an art dealer would be to find works of art that will interest your clients. To be a successful art dealer, you will have to be aware of the current art market trends and be able to find unique pieces. You must also be well-educated in art history and have highly developed communication and business skills.
Can I find a job in the art industry with no prior experience?
Yes, you can! Like in any industry, you can always start at entry-level positions and keep growing. There is no shame in applying for jobs that do not give you a lot of responsibilities at first. At the very first stages of your career, you should prioritize gaining experience and building connections. Networking is a great way to move up the career ladder in any industry, especially in art. If you keep an open mind and are not afraid to say ‘yes’ to exciting projects, you will quickly start seeing the fruits of your labor.
