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Art and Design
Careers in Art Galleries
Works of art are displayed in public art galleries. Galleries can vary gready, not only in size and number, but also in the range of creative pieces on display.
Large galleries, such as the National Gallery of London or the National Gallery of Scotland, hold important and valuable collections of paintings and sculptures.
Provincial museums may have rooms set aside as galleries for art works.
Galleries funded by local authorities sometimes house collections with a special theme, such as the work of a particular artist, or artists, from the region.
There are many displays of collected art works throughout the country, which may be owned by university departments, colleges, hospitals or private individuals.
There are also the small commercial galleries, mostly situated in the cities, which attract tourists. Visitors can purchase' old masters', or modem paintings by local artists which depict scenes portraying the lifestyle of the local area. In some cities, a number of such galleries are gathered together, as in London's Bond Street or the Left Bank area of Paris. Serious collectors may call regularly to discover the works of established painters and sculptors which have entered the market, or to select examples fi:-om new and talented artists. Small galleries often specialise in the works of a school of artists or in paintings fi:-om particular periods, such as early portraits, 18th-century landscapes in oils, 19th-century water colours. Remember that, in private galleries, the pay is usually set at a low basic rate enhanced by commission earned on sales!
What the work involves
There is a variety of work involved in running a gallery, whether it is a national gallery open to the public, a small public collection in a town, or a commercial gallery.
Building up a public collection
Depending upon the size of the establishment, one or several people have to take responsibility for maintaining and consolidating the gallery's collection of art works. Money firm grants, donations, entrance fees and the like is used for the purchase of important items. These art works may be needed to complete a collection, or because they are examples of new work.
Conserving the art works
In public galleries, the collection has to be regularly checked so that any necessary cleaning or conservation work can be prescribed and carried out. In the larger galleries, conservation work is performed by in-house conservators, while smaller galleries often employ freelance experts. Conditions under which art works are stored, displayed and transported need to be monitored, as light levels, humidity and vibration can all cause damage.
Exhibition organising
Exhibitions have to be arranged in a manner that shows an understanding of the art works themselves, and of the expectations and needs of the viewers. It is essential to have some knowledge of art and art history to do this job well. Careful layout is necessary with some modern pieces, where the organiser has to consider the intentions of the artist - for example, is it important to light Andy Warhol's pyramid of Campbell's soup cans at a glancing angle to achieve the best effect, or should the work surprise the viewer, set alone round a corner of the exhibition layout?
Promotional work
Each event mounted by the gallery may require special fundraising and promotion, with the preparation of photographs and information to make posters, brochures and catalogues for the public. This work has to be done accurately and usually to a tight deadline. Visiting lecturers may be asked to give talks about the particular artists and their works.
Educational work
Some local authority galleries employ a qualified teacher to construct an educational programme aimed at helping local schoolchildren to analyse and enjoy paintings. This work can develop into practical drawing sessions, illustrated talks and visits to other major galleries. The Institute of Education in London offers a postgraduate MA course entided 'Museums and Galleries in Education' .
Security work
Security is a high priority in an art gallery and, where larger collections are open to the public, many people are employed as gallery attendants - inspecting bags, watching the behaviour of individuals, and generally making sure that the art works entrusted to their keeping are safe.
Art loans work
Those art galleries which sell new works often operate a hire system whereby members of the public, buinesses or institutions can have a changing display for little expenditure. The cost of the loan can become part of an eventual purchase and it has been found that, through a lending system, people often become sufficiently fond of a work to buy it outright. This borrowing system has to be carefully administered.
What it takes
Although every art gallery is unique, there are common areas of work for which a basic understanding of art is important. Many people employed in positions of responsibility in galleries have a degree in fine art, the history of art, or art and design, but for specialised work you need to able to offer a postgraduate diploma (for instance, in art history or conservation techniques) or give evidence of similar, specialist training.
There are many administrative tasks to be completed in the largest galleries, for which secretaries and administrative assistants are employed. An artistic background is not necessary for these posts, nor for the security posts. If you were looking for a position as a curator in an art gallery, you would need an art training, but you should be prepared to work long, irregular hours for a fairly small remuneration.
In small public galleries, the directors cover most of the work themselves, with the assistance of one curator and possibly a secretary. These assistants may be part-time or even voluntary workers who have a real interest in the works of art, or in promoting creativity amongst local artists. Part-time assistants are sometimes needed when exhibitions are mounted.
In private and commercial galleries, there has to be a high level of communication and involvement with the public to whom you hope to sell a work of art. With modern works, it would be essential to have gathered background knowledge about the different artists.
TRAINING
A significant number of people working in art galleries have gained a degree or HND in some aspects of art or art history. The vast majority of art and design courses are applied for through UCAS. There is tremendous competition for most fine art degree courses and, as such, it is only a minority of places that go to applicants straight from school. The majority of successful applicants have first completed a college-based preparatory course (e.g. a one-year Art Foundation, BTEC National Diploma, adult Access or GNVQ Advanced). A number of institutions offer postgraduate courses in gallery studies.
EMPLOYMENT
Vacancies for jobs in art galleries are listed in the Museums Journal, published monthly by the Museum Association; Leisure News, the bi-monthly journal of AIM (the Association of Independent Museums); the Guardian, in the creative and media section on Mondays and the education section on Tuesdays;
The Times and its supplements, the Independent and Time Out. Local newspapers are used to advertise junior posts.
Sotheby's auction house runs its own diploma courses and also has a follow-up careers service for attending students, which offers lectures on career topics, and an unofficial placement system. Overall, job prospects are not high, as the total number of staff working in art galleries is very small. It helps if you have gained some experience of working in galleries, perhaps on a voluntary basis. University galleries are run by members of the teaching academic staff, with administrative assistance.
