Resume

Art Dealer Resume Example & Writing Guide

Use this Art Dealer resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.

Art dealers work with a variety of clients to identify, buy, and sell art. They specialize in a specific market or style of art—such as contemporary or classical—and work with clients to build collections that complement their lifestyles and decor.

Art dealers also advise clients on tax implications and insurance considerations related to their collections. And because they’re so knowledgeable about the art world, they can help clients navigate the complex ecosystem of galleries, auctions, and art fairs.

To get started in this exciting career, you’ll need to build a resume that showcases your unique skills and experience within the art world. Here are some tips and an example resume to help you do just that.

Mary Thompson
Houston, TX | (123) 456-7891 | [email protected]
Summary

Seasoned art dealer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. Proven success in developing and managing client relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and cultivating a strong artist roster. Seeking a position at an established art gallery where my skills and knowledge can be put to good use.

Education
Southern Methodist University Jun '10
B.A. in Art History
Experience
Company A, Art Dealer Jan '17 – Current
  • Managed a team of 3-5 interns and assistants to help with the daily operations of the gallery, including shipping artwork, organizing exhibitions, and assisting clients during sales meetings.
  • Created marketing materials for artists’ shows such as postcards, invitations, press releases, etc., in addition to creating artist bios and statements for promotional purposes.
  • Assisted with research on potential new artists to add to the roster by attending art fairs and studio visits across the country.
  • Maintained an organized database of all current artists represented by the gallery along with their contact information and exhibition history.
  • Attended weekly staff meetings where we discussed upcoming events/exhibitions as well as any issues that may have arisen within our departments over the past week or month.
Company B, Art Dealer Jan '12 – Dec '16
  • Created and maintained a database of over 200 clients, which included personal information such as contact details and art preferences
  • Collaborated with the marketing team to create email campaigns that increased client engagement by 25%
  • Managed inventory of over 100 pieces of artwork worth $1M in total value
  • Achieved record sales figures for gallery events by creating compelling promotional materials
  • Represented gallery at high-profile art fairs including Art Basel Miami Beach and Frieze London
Company C, Gallery Assistant Jan '09 – Dec '11
  • Maintained the appearance of the gallery by conducting regular cleaning and organizing of the space.
  • Received and processed shipments of artwork, which included unpacking, checking for damages, and properly storing or displaying the pieces.
  • Assisted customers with purchasing artwork and provided information about the artists and their work.
Skills

Industry Knowledge: Art History, Art Appraisal, Art Restoration, Museum Etiquette
Technical Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Salesforce, QuickBooks, Google Analytics
Soft Skills: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Leadership, Communication

How to Write an Art Dealer Resume

Here’s how to write an resume of your own.

Write Compelling Bullet Points

Bullet points are the most important part of your resume because they’re the first thing recruiters and hiring managers will see. And they’re the best way to showcase your experience and qualifications.

So it’s crucial that you use them to your advantage. And the best way to do that is by using specific, descriptive language. For example, rather than saying you “managed inventory,” you could say you “managed inventory for 200+ piece contemporary art collection, ensuring inventory was kept up-to-date and consistent with gallery aesthetic.”

The second bullet point is much more specific and provides more detail about what exactly you did and the results of your work.

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

When you submit your resume for a job as a art dealer, it’s likely that it will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. These programs look for specific terms related to the position, like “collector” or “client relations,” in order to determine whether your skills and experience are a match for the job. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right keywords, the ATS might automatically reject your application.

To increase your chances of getting an interview, make sure to include relevant keywords throughout all sections of your resume. You can find a list of common art dealer keywords below:

  • Art
  • Art History
  • Visual Arts
  • Painting
  • Art Education
  • Art Gallery
  • Drawing
  • Curating
  • Photography
  • Creative Writing
  • Graphic Design
  • Art Consulting
  • Arts Management
  • Art History Research
  • Museums
  • Framing
  • Art Exhibitions
  • Arts
  • Digital Photography
  • Private Art Lessons
  • Art Theory
  • Cultural Events
  • Art Restoration
  • Art Collecting
  • Art Sales
  • Social Media
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Sales
  • Art Preservation
  • Marketing

Showcase Your Technical Skills

Art dealers need to be proficient in a variety of software programs in order to manage their inventory, track sales, and communicate with clients. Some of the most common programs used by art dealers include ArtBase, ArtNet, and Artsy. In addition, art dealers need to be familiar with social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, as well as e-commerce platforms like Etsy and Shopify.

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