Art Consultant Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an art consultant. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an art consultant.
Who is an Art Consultant?
An art consultant is a person who advises individuals or companies on which works of art to purchase. This advice can be used for a variety of purposes, from building a personal art collection, to designing an art program for a hotel or building an investment portfolio. Artworks are considered a relatively stable long-term investment if managed properly, and many individuals or companies with money to invest turn to them in times of economic crisis. Wealthy people often use the help of an art consultant when buying a new home or renovating an existing one to help them get the art they want.
An experienced art consultant will meet with the client to find out their likes and dislikes, record their budget and note the specific works they are looking for. They help their clients find the works they want at auction and recommend new or unexpected artists to help them with their art collection. Consultants’ prices vary considerably depending on their experience, the overall budget of the client, and the size of the collection the client wants. On the other hand, companies often need models for their units and may need the service of an art consultant in case they don’t have one. These consultants are responsible for maintaining a consistent look and feel throughout the company’s properties, staying within budget while reflecting the company’s mood. For example, hotels may use several art consultants to design a comprehensive art program for their chain, either with similar artwork throughout the property or with artwork tailored to their chain.
Finally, an art consultant may serve primarily as an investment advisor to individuals or businesses. In this case, the consultant is expected to have a thorough knowledge of trends in the art world. These consultants work side by side with clients to diversify a portfolio of art at auction or through private sales to achieve the desired level of risk or reward.
Art Consultant Job Description
Below are the art consultant job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an art consultant include the following:
- Acting as a liaison between clients and artists
- Assisting clients in finding the right artist for their project
- Working with clients to develop project budgets
- Identifying and evaluating potential art pieces for a project
- Recommending framing and installation options
- Assisting clients with selecting artwork for their space
- Serving as a resource for information on art trends or practices
- Offering advice on decorating concepts or styles related to art
- Helping clients find the right piece of furniture, lighting or other accessories to match their new artwork
- Working with clients to select prints, canvases, or other decorative items
- Advising clients on art to purchase online
- Offering advice on insurance and contract matters
- Coordinating showings of artwork with clients
- Assisting in the selection of complementary furnishings for a space
- Serving as an advisor on cultural events or visits to galleries related to the project
- Giving suggestions for occasions that coincide with a new artwork installation
- Keeping clients updated on progress and changes made to their project
- Assisting in the development of marketing materials
- Serving as a reference for clients when making future art purchases
- Assisting with the installation of new artwork
- Providing expert advice on color selection, placement, and other aspects of decorating with art
- Helping clients select works of art to donate to charity or auction
- Serving as an advocate for artists and their work
- Working with clients to develop budgets for upcoming projects
- Recommending framing options or other art-related services
- Offering advice on how to care for and display works of art
- Enlightening clients on the purchase or lease of commercial space that incorporates artwork
- Working with clients to select color schemes, furniture, and accessories for their new home or office space
- Assisting in the selection of complementary pieces of art for a room or an entire home.
- Working with brokers and other relevant colleagues to design, facilitate, price, and implement alternative risk solutions.
- Ensuring accurate content is produced within the timeframe and helping present the results to clients using relevant analytical tools.
- Assisting clients in providing relevant data for procurement and promotion activities.
- Providing training to like-minded people and playing a leading role.
- Working on projects generally related to the company’s priority initiatives.
- Work with the creative strategist and marketing partners to develop outstanding creative briefs and solutions from those briefs.
- Supporting brand identity and providing strategic input on brand identity issues.
- Ensuring that the art is effective, impactful, and consistent with the brand.
Qualifications
To become an Art Consultant, the following qualifications are needed:
Education
Art consultants generally need at least a high school diploma or GED. Many art consultants opt for an undergraduate degree in art, art history, or a related field. These programs often include courses in art history, studio art, and art techniques.
Training and experience
Art consultants often receive on-the-job training in the form of an internship. During the internship, the art consultant gains professional experience under the supervision of an experienced art consultant. A training course usually lasts from six months to two years.
Certification and licensing
Although certification is not usually required for an art consultant position, many recruiters prefer to have it. Certifications indicate that the professional has the knowledge and experience to provide advanced services in this field.
Essential Skills
- Visual Merchandising
Visual merchandising is the ability to arrange products in a way that makes them more attractive. This may involve arranging similar items, using props and backgrounds to highlight certain features of an item or grouping items by color. Visual merchandising skills are important for art consultants because they help clients find the right art for their space.
- Visual Arts
Visual art skills are important for art consultants because they allow them to understand and evaluate different types of art. For example, if a client is interested in purchasing a painting, it is helpful to know what makes the piece valuable or unique so that an informed decision can be made. Knowledge of art also includes knowledge of art styles, eras, and trends, so that you can recommend works that fit well in the home or office.
- Flexibility
Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Art consultants often work with clients who have very specific tastes and preferences, so it is important to be flexible when working with them. For example, if a client wants a particular style or artist, the art advisor should be able to accommodate that request.
- Art history
Art history is the study of art and its creators. With the knowledge of art history, art consultants can use their knowledge to help clients find works that complement or match a particular style.
Using the knowledge of art history, they also know how different styles have evolved, which helps them determine whether a work of art is authentic.
- Negotiation
Negotiation is the process of reaching an agreement between two parties. Art consultants often negotiate with their clients about the works they will buy and their prices. This can be a difficult process, as the art consultant must balance meeting the client’s needs with the profit to be made from the sale.
- Creativity
Art consultants often work with clients to create custom artwork. This requires creativity, as they may develop unique ideas for a client’s space or event. For instance, if you are organizing a gallery opening, you may be asked to create authentic artwork rather than reproductions. Your creativity helps you generate new ideas and solutions for your clients.
- Colour theory
Knowledge of color theory helps art consultants work with clients to select artworks. Knowing how colors interact and the effects of color combinations can help these professionals in advising their clients. An art consultant who knows color theory can also use it to explain why certain pieces work well together or against each other.
- Design
Art consultants often work with designers to develop the visual aspects of a project. They may also be responsible for creating and maintaining design files such as floor plans and architectural drawings. Design skills include knowledge of software such as AutoCAD for architecture and Adobe Illustrator for graphic design.
- Fabric selection
Fabric selection is an important skill for art consultants. With this skill, they can help clients choose the right fabrics for their projects. An art consultant who is familiar with fabrics can advise clients on which fabrics to use, depending on the project’s needs and budget.
- Communication.
Art consultants must communicate clearly with their clients. This means that they must be able to explain artistic terminology and technical concepts in a way that the client can understand. It is also important to ask questions and to understand the client’s wishes when they tell you their preferences.
- Attention to detail
Art consultants must pay attention to detail when working with clients. They need to understand the details of the project and how each aspect affects the overall design. This allows them to accurately evaluate the artwork and help the client make an informed decision.
- Contemporary art
Contemporary artists often use non-traditional materials and techniques, which can make it difficult for clients to understand their work. Art consultants specializing in contemporary art must be able to explain the artistic process and how each piece fits into the artist’s body of work.
How to Become an Art Consultant
Here are the steps to follow to become an art consultant.
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree in art
Art consultants need to have a good understanding of the different aspects of art, such as techniques, genres, media, and periods. In the university, this knowledge can be developed through specialized courses such as art history and fine art. Other specializations, such as curating, art management, and art business, will give you the business skills needed to become a consultant. By studying art, you can learn more about art movements, different art schools, methods of art techniques, and the cultural impact of art.
- Gain experience in the art industry by working in galleries and museums.
Make sure you gain relevant work experience during or after your studies. Working in a gallery will allow you to become familiar with the sales process and the logistics of packaging, transporting, and displaying artwork.
Working in a museum will give you a different perspective on the art world and help you learn how large art collections are managed. You can learn how to safely transport and display older and more fragile works than in a gallery.
In some museums, you can also learn about the latest conservation and restoration techniques. You can also go on guided tours as it makes it easy to talk to different people and understand how the public perceives art.
- Build professional relationships
As you gain experience, carefully develop your professional network. Contacts with gallery owners and collectors can help you find consulting work. You can also contact different artists to find out more about their work and how it fits into a particular collection. You can also make use of social media as it can also help you build your reputation and introduce you to new artists.
- Work for a company, museum, consultancy, or auction house.
Once you have gained some experience in the arts sector, you can start looking for a job as a consultant. Many companies and non-profit organizations regularly employ art consultants, such as museums, auction houses, and consultancies. Private companies with multiple locations or franchises also employ art consultants. In these positions, they build up a reputation as art consultants and get references and recommendations. They also keep you informed about legislation, business ethics, and fee structures.
- You can get involved in freelance work
If you want to work as a freelance art consultant, decide what kind of art you want to work on and the kind of clients you want to deal with. If you are interested in a particular field of art, you can work with several museums and collectors specializing in that area.
You can also develop skills that might be useful to clients, such as exhibition experience or knowledge of art as an investment.
Where to Work as an Art Consultant
Some places where an art consultant may work include:
- Art galleries
- Museums
- Auction houses
- Private art collections
- Corporate art collections
- Art fairs
- Art schools
- Art studios
- Nonprofit organizations
- Retail establishments
- Commercial businesses
- Residential homes
Art Consultant Salary Scale
Salaries for art consultants in the United States range from $17,628 to $466,435, with a median salary of $84,020.