Art Business

This page focuses on careers within the organisations and businesses that support, promote, exhibit, transport, value, manage and sell art. These careers can involve working with artists, collectors, buyers, galleries, auction houses and other organisations connected to the art world. They may suit people who enjoy art and visual culture but do not necessarily want to work as professional artists themselves.

Interested in creating artwork and developing a professional artistic practice? See our Arts and Crafts page for information on careers as an artist, building a portfolio, commissions, exhibitions, freelancing and creative practice.

Interested in careers in museums and publicly funded galleries? See our Museums and galleries sector page for information on careers in curatorial work, exhibitions, conservation, collections, museum education and working with the public.

The art business sector includes a wide range of organisations and activities, including:

  • Commercial galleries that display and sell artwork
  • Auction houses that organise the sale of artworks
  • Art fairs, where galleries and artists show and sell work to collectors and other buyers
  • Publishing
  • Artwork transport, storage and logistics
  • Sales
  • Marketing and communications
  • Business operations – the day-to-day running of art businesses

There is no single route into the sector. Employers often value commercial awareness, communication skills, organisation, digital skills, relationship-building and an understanding of how the art world operates. Experience gained in customer-facing, administrative, project-based or arts-related roles can all be relevant. Some people also choose to develop specialist knowledge through postgraduate study in areas such as arts management, art business, cultural management or art history.

Explore job roles

People working in the art business sector help artists, organisations and buyers connect with one another. Roles may involve organising exhibitions, supporting clients, coordinating sales, managing projects, researching artists and artworks, promoting events, arranging artwork transport, or supporting the day-to-day running of arts organisations and businesses.

Use the job profiles below to learn more about responsibilities, skills, qualifications and routes into different roles.

Building skills and experience

Getting experience in this area can help you understand how the art world operates, develop practical skills, and build relationships with people working in the sector. It can also help you decide which working environments and roles suit you.

  • Look for internships, casual work, volunteering and opportunities to contribute to specific projects with commercial galleries, auction houses, art fairs, artists, studios and specialist art businesses. See this Association for Art History guide to finding internships in the arts world for useful tips.
  • Consider smaller and regional organisations as well as large, well-known organisations. Smaller teams may offer opportunities to gain experience across several areas of the organisation.
  • Attend exhibitions, auctions, art fairs, talks and sector events to develop your commercial awareness and knowledge of artists, organisations and current issues.
  • Develop administrative and digital skills, as these can provide another route into the sector. Useful skills include writing clearly and using spreadsheets, databases and systems used to manage customer information, social media and digital communication tools with confidence.
  • Build experience of communicating with customers or clients. Retail, hospitality and sales work can help you develop communication, negotiation, resilience, organisation and relationship-building skills. Roles such as Student Representative or committee positions in student societies can also provide useful examples for applications and interviews.

Finding and applying for jobs

Art business opportunities may be advertised through specialist job boards, organisations’ own websites, recruitment agencies and professional networks. Some opportunities are not widely advertised, so identify organisations that interest you and regularly check their websites and social media accounts. Sign up for organisations’ email updates and consider contacting organisations directly to request experience, even if they aren't advertising opportunities (this is known as a speculative approach). For advice on building contacts and approaching organisations directly, see our networking and speculative approach to job searching guidance.

Find vacancies

  • CareerConnect Vacancies, events and opportunities for University of Manchester students and recent graduates
  • Arts Jobs Site managed by Arts Council England to promote arts and culture vacancies and events
  • ArtJobster UK arts vacancies, including regional and UK-wide opportunities
  • DRAW Recruitment Specialist vacancies in fine art, galleries, auction houses and related art businesses
  • SML UK opportunities UK and global roles in galleries, artist studios and other art-world organisations

Further resources

  • Artists Now Opportunities, professional resources, events and support available to artists and arts professionals. Discounted student membership available for undergraduate students enrolled on arts-related courses.
  • Artquest Free practical information about working professionally as an artist, including contracts, copyright, commissions, selling work and opportunities. This can help you understand the professional issues affecting artists you may support in an art business role.
  • Society of London Art Dealers Overviews of upcoming UK and international Arts Fairs, as well as databases of arts dealers to approach for conversations, vacancies and other notices from the UK fine-art trade association.
  • Artlogic Connect Recorded discussions about art businesses and current issues affecting galleries, artists and collectors.
  • Lund Humphries: Hot Topics in the Art World Short books exploring current issues in public and private-sector art-world practice.

Next steps

When planning your next steps you may have additional questions or want to explore certain aspects in more detail: