An art broker is an art dealer who acts as the representative of an artist or collector to sell a work of art.A good broker needs to be an art expert, well connected in the arts community, and a good salesperson.You will need to learn everything you can about art.You can start networking in the exciting world of art.
Step 1: Do you know the job demands?
Art brokers work long, irregular hours and often do all the work for their gallery or office.Pay can be irregular because most brokers work on commission.At all hours, brokers attend functions, shows, and meetings.You can search online or talk to art professors in the area.
Step 2: You can learn about art.
College degrees are not required for art brokers to have a broad education in art.If you don't have an art background, read everything you can about art history, attend art lectures and art show openings in your area, and go to art museums and galleries.Ask your library for recommendations for books to read.Ask anyone in the art world about their favorite books, museums, and websites.
Step 3: Become a good salesperson
A good art broker can also be a good salesperson.They need to convince the owner of a work of art that they are the best broker to sell their work and they deserve their full commission.They need to convince someone else that the artwork is perfect for them.Many art brokers have experience in business and marketing.If you want to get some practice, apply for sales positions at local stores and companies.If you don't have a sales background, research sales pitches online and practice them with your friends and family.
Step 4: Pick a specialization.
There is a specialty for every art broker.Make art history the focus of your business by choosing a genre, artist, location or time period.You specialize in most of the art you broker.Pick a specialty that you love rather than a lucrative one.You will have to be very enthusiastic about the art you are selling because it can be unpredictable.You won't enjoy selling Japanese woodblocks if you hate them.You should support a business in your area by choosing a specialty.If you live in a big arts city like New York, you can pick something very obscure, like fifteenth-century Russian icons.Modern American art can be found in a smaller town far away from a major arts center.
Step 5: Do you know your specialization?
You should learn everything you can about what you want to specialize in.Go to every event or lecture related to your speciality if you read every major book on the subject.Ask your local library or college's art history department for recommendations if you don't know what to read.You can find a syllabus online.There will be a lot of classic works and cutting-edge research in these.
Step 6: Know the players in your area.
Who are the major figures in the art scene in your area?You will need to know about important galleries, prominent local artists, major collectors and museums in the area.The art department at your local college is a good place to begin your research.Don't be afraid to introduce yourself to people who work in galleries, museums, and art collectives.People who love art like talking about it.There are social media event pages for art events.They are usually hosted by people who are very involved in the art world.
Step 7: If you want a job or internship, apply.
It is possible to get a job in the art field.If you have never worked in art before, try to get an internship at a local gallery, museum or artists collective.Contact your school's alumni association for help finding openings if you have a college degree.Introduce yourself to local gallery owners and museum workers and inquire about job openings if that isn't an option.If there are no arts jobs in your area, you can volunteer.
Step 8: Visit art shows.
You can find a calendar of events at your local gallery, or you can use social media.If you can travel, you should go to everything related to your specialty.You can talk to anyone at these shows.They are great places to meet people.
Step 9: You can attend arts or community events.
Art lovers are involved in community events and the larger arts world.You can attend any event where prominent arts figures will be present.Social media can be used to find out what the next big arts event is.
Step 10: Get to know the owners of the artists.
When you are familiar with your local arts scene, focus on getting to know prospective clients who create or collect art in your chosen speciality.If you want to introduce yourself to everyone connected with your specialty, ask your friends and colleagues if they know anyone involved with it.You can reach out to people on social media.Speak to artists at shows and give them your contact information if you want to focus on contemporary art.Corporations are looking to invest in art.Don't forget to research companies that are interested in art collecting.To find corporate art buyers in your area, do an online search.
Step 11: Establish clients for buyers and sellers.
If you know who is interested in buying or selling art, ask them.Emphasize your knowledge and credentials to them, and use your sales pitch to convince them that you are the best broker for them.You have to convince the buyer that the artwork is a good investment and that it is perfect for them.You should be prepared to explain why a work of art is high-quality if you know your client's preferences.Establish a permanent partnership with artists if you work directly with them.An ongoing partnership with a prolific artist can be very profitable because most brokers display an artist's work in exchange for a commission when it sells.
Step 12: You can find investors.
Investment capital is required for being a successful art broker.You will need to pay for a gallery or office, travel expenses to shows and meetings, and routine business expenses like internet access and office supplies.You can apply for a loan at the bank.If you have important connections in the art world, they may be willing to invest in your broker.If you can, ask your family to invest.
Step 13: You can open a gallery or office.
You will need a place to conduct business.Clients can see available art at most art broker's galleries.The gallery model can be used to get walk-in clients.If they sell art to corporate clients, other brokers operate out of offices.It is possible to rent gallery space from an existing gallery.If there is an arts district in your town, establish a gallery there.Many buyers aren't necessarily collectors, but local people who simply saw something they liked, so choose a location that allows for lots of foot traffic.Downtown streets, boardwalks, and town centers are good locations.Before signing a lease or buying a property, be sure to submit your plans to your investors.
Step 14: Purchase art to sell.
Many brokers buy art from artists and then sell it to other people for a profit.This is more lucrative than simply getting a commission.If you have the money, you can buy art to sell.Buying from an artist or collector will increase your profit margins.You should buy art in your specialty.If your first art purchase is in a genre you're not familiar with, you may make a poor investment.