As an experienced art consultancy, Artelier excels in guiding clients through the intricate process of crafting a tailor-made art collection for their unique projects. In this article, we address some of the most frequently asked questions about art consultants, shedding light on key aspects including:
What does an art consultant do?
Why hire an art consultant?
What to expect when hiring an art consultant?
How much does an art consultant charge?
How do you find an art consultant?
What are some common mistakes when hiring art consultants?
Below, you will find a practical guide to the art consultancy process, providing insights into what clients can expect, including the client and consultancy journey following the initial consultation.
What does an art consultant do?
Art consultants are experts who develop art collections for private, hospitality, corporate and public projects. After initial consultations, your chosen art consultancy curates a detailed art proposal which responds to the project and the site.
Once the final artworks are agreed upon, the art consultants then oversee sourcing or commissioning the artworks. This involves liaising with the artists and clients and creating specialist solutions for practical requirements. Art consultants should put the client's mind at ease by handling the presentation and installation of the artwork; this requires specialist technical and curatorial skills that neither the artist nor the client may possess, so they will utilise their professional contacts.
Why hire an art consultant?
Art consultants play an increasingly vital role across various industries. Their extensive knowledge of the art market and connections with contemporary artists make them instrumental in helping clients bring their artistic visions to life, whether it involves commissioning a standout piece or curating a bespoke art collection. This role becomes especially crucial for larger collections, as top-tier art consultants excel in achieving a balance where each artwork shines individually while contributing harmoniously to a cohesive collection.
In addition to sourcing and commissioning art, art consultants are also experts in logistics and installation. For substantial projects like corporate or hotel art consultancy, a turnkey art service ensures clients receive a comprehensive art package, eliminating the need to hire multiple art specialists. Hiring an experienced art consultant to oversee every aspect of the art curation process ensures a hassle-free experience, as they are well-versed in managing the expectations and challenges associated with such projects.
What to expect when hiring an art consultant?
Every project undertaken by an art consultancy represents a transformative journey. While clients may arrive with initial ideas, the art consultant's role is to refine these concepts, introduce clients to fresh possibilities and artists, and curate a diverse array of artwork options. As the project evolves from the conceptual stage to proposals, commissioning, and ultimately installation, the art consultant assumes the role of project manager, ensuring the final artwork is delivered impeccably to meet the client's standards.
4 Step Process
Step 1: The effectiveness of seasoned art consultants hinges on meticulous planning. After initial discussions to understand the client and their project, the art consultancy will independently develop artwork ideas and create a curatorial proposal. At Artelier, our entire curatorial team participates in this initial phase to harness a broad spectrum of research. Upon presenting the concept proposal to the client, they indicate which ideas, styles and individual artworks they like best.
Step 2: Armed with this feedback, art consultants proceed to refine and tailor proposals to suit the client's preferences, developing site-specific proposals to cater for the client’s preferences. Throughout the journey, clients offer feedback at every juncture, yet are freed from labour-intensive and knowledge-intensive tasks such as exhaustive research and the creation of sophisticated curatorial proposals.
Step 3: After the client has finalised their choices, the art consultant begins working with artists. At this stage, the client can rest assured that the art consultant is taking care of the complex commissioning process, and effectively project managing artwork development. The art consultant can also organise for the artist to provide samples, sketches and designs to the client, involving them directly in the artistic choices. The art consultant’s involvement streamlines the process and gives a level of security to the client.
Step 4: Finally, a turnkey art consultancy firm will handle all logistical stages. They will organise specialist artwork packing, arrange shipping and secure appropriate insurance. Due to their specialist artistic knowledge, the art consultants will also typically develop custom plinths or frames, as well as fixings and fastenings that are appropriate to the artwork and its context. With a team of technicians and representatives on hand at every location, the art consultancy will ensure that the artwork is installed properly and flawlessly presented.
Engaging a reputable art consultant guarantees clients a comprehensive bespoke art package, meticulously addressing every stage of the process. The outcome is a world-class artwork or collection, competitively priced and expertly tailored to the unique demands of the project.
How much does an art consultant charge?
Each art consultant establishes their unique pricing structure, which can vary based on the industry and the quantity of artworks needed. When commissioning a single bespoke artwork, the consultant's fee typically falls in the range of 5-15% of the artwork's value, depending on the project's specific requirements.
For larger, more extensive projects that demand a longer-term commitment from the art consultancy firm, the fee structure is often presented as a comprehensive package. This package covers both art consultancy fees and artwork costs. The client and art consultant collaboratively define the project's scope, which includes determining the total number of required artworks, their designated locations, and specifying the services the art consultant will provide. Clients may have a predefined art budget in mind, and in such cases, art consultants will tailor the project's scope and their services to align with the budget.
Hiring an art consultancy firm typically saves money for the client. Art consultants bring a wealth of experience to the table, enabling them to source high-quality artworks within budget constraints while accurately assessing fair pricing for these pieces. Moreover, their expertise extends to collaborating closely with artists, ensuring that the development of each artwork aligns seamlessly with the practical needs of the designated space. This proactive approach helps prevent costly modifications or potential damage that might arise in the absence of an art consultant's guidance.
Furthermore, art consultancies boast a network of affiliated art specialists, encompassing handlers, technicians, and framers. Leveraging this network allows them to secure competitively priced services without compromising on quality.
Ultimately, the fees charged by an art consultant are tailored to the specific and unique requirements of each project. To kickstart the collaboration, our art consultants offer an initial consultation at no cost. During this consultation, we discuss your project's particulars, including providing preliminary cost estimates, ensuring transparency and client satisfaction.
How do you find an art consultant?
As a niche field, art consultancy firms are generally more under-the-radar than well-known interior design or architecture firms. Many high-end projects collaborate with art consultants, but they are rarely named by journalists in articles about the project. This means that, aside from drawing on recommendations from personal networks, the best place to discover art consultants is online.
Many art consultants have extensive websites, with examples of the art they have commissioned for projects and the different contexts they work in. By browsing the websites, it is often clear for a client whether the art consultant works at the same calibre as their project. This is especially important to establish for more complex, high profile and larger-scale projects, as a large amount of trust is placed in any specialists.
The paramount step in finding the right art consultant involves open communication and ensuring a good fit. When reaching out to an art consultant, initiate the conversation with an introduction to your project and provide contact details. Artelier Art Consultancy, for instance, offers an invaluable opportunity for a free and informal initial consultation with our creative director. During this consultation, prospective clients can delve into their project's intricacies, allowing for a more thorough understanding of their needs while Artelier discusses its relevant experience and expertise.
Common Mistakes
Lack of Research: Failing to research the type of art you need and your consultant's experience can be a costly error. Ensure your consultant has relevant expertise.
Unclear Vision: Don't hold back when it comes to conveying your desired outcome. Initiate a meaningful discussion with your consultant from the very start, whether it's during the initial call or introductory meeting, and continue the dialogue throughout the process. Even if you're in the exploratory stage, be sure to express your ideas clearly. Prioritising open and ongoing discussions with your art consultant can ensure your objectives remain perfectly aligned.
Closed-Mindedness: Avoid the trap of rigidly sticking to your initial ideas. It's common for individuals to enter with a fixed idea and disregard the consultant's alternative perspectives. Embracing an open-minded approach to your project vision can lead to superior results
Artelier Art Consultancy
Artelier are a top UK art consultancy working internationally, with extensive expertise on larger projects – functioning as public art consultants, corporate art consultants or hotel art consultants – as well as private projects in residences, onboard yachts and aircraft.
Follow the below links to learn more about Artelier and what we do:
Industry Homepages: Residences; Hotels; Yachts; Aircraft; Corporate; Public.
– Feature Wall Art & Artelier's Associated Artists
