Hiring a Fine Art Consultant in 2024

If it’s your first time hiring a Fine Art Consultant, you may have questions about how exactly to go about it and what will be the outcome of your investment. Whether you’re looking for someone to assist with a private art collection or you are sourcing artworks as part of your job, it can be challenging to find the right professional. A successful art consultant or art advisor will understand the project brief, have worked with similar clients in the past, and be an expert in the type of art you are looking to acquire.

In this article we will discuss the key steps involved in hiring an art consultant that can assist you in sourcing fine art for your needs.

What is an art consultant and what do they do?

An art consultant is an art professional who works with private and commercial clients to provide expertise on the selection, acquisition and handling of works of art. Art consultants often provide a range of art consultancy services including sourcing, commissioning, and managing art projects. They are hired in many different contexts including for the purpose of building a collection, sourcing artworks for a commercial project or helping with a large-scale exhibition.

Art consultants are usually experts in a particular aspect of the art market, such as contemporary or old master works, they are usually well connected and can assist in the curation of an entire art collection either for a private individual or a public space. Some art consultants may have a background as an art curator or interior designer, which enhances their ability to deliver complex art solutions. An art consultant will also be able to mitigate risks associated with purchasing an artwork such as authenticity concerns or damage during transportation.

Why should you work with an art consultant?

When you begin the process of buying art, you may find that it is not as straightforward as anticipated. It is often difficult to research, prices are rarely made available and the process can be made even more challenging if you want to commission a new work or purchase a piece by an established artist. Quality will be extremely varied and some artists may be far too overpriced, with gallery sharks eager to sell you the artists they represent, without considering your needs. Having a trusted art partner such as an art consultant or advisor can therefore be essential if you want access to better and more affordable art.

Another great advantage of working with an art consultant is that you can negotiate to pay them a percentage of the sale price rather than an hourly rate. They will also be able to negotiate the best prices on your behalf meaning that oftentimes it will not cost you more than it would have to purchase the artwork on your own, with the added benefit of having expert advice. Many art consultants work with a dedicated team to provide tailored advice and handpicked recommendations.

Finally working with a professional will make your search easier because they will already have extensive knowledge of the type of art you are looking for. Here at Artelier for instance we hold a database of over 15,000 contemporary artists in all genres that our curators have carefully selected over a decade. This means that when a client comes with a particular aesthetic in mind we can quickly research that style in the database and then follow this up with more research into up-and-coming artists.

Image: Artelier Art Consultancy

How to find the right professional (top tips):

Finding the right art consultant is an important step as who you hire will have an impact on the type of art you will be presented with. Many art consultants will have examples of collections they have curated, as well as information on their specialism and specific genres they typically work with. If you like the look of their past work then they will likely be a good fit for your project.

When finding the right consultant you can look at directories online like our list of Top 22 Art Consulting Firms. If you are working with interior designers and architects you can also ask them for their recommendations. Another way to find someone is to check on LinkedIn job search where you can see their credentials and past projects as well as search by country and region.

Lastly, it is also very important that they have a good reputation and list their credentials on an online profile or website. When looking at their online profiles look for case studies showing the art they’ve curated in situ, this will give you the best feel for whether or not they are a good match for your needs. A good art consultant should have curated pieces in a way that takes your breath away, it should be new and interesting and displayed in ways you may not have thought of. Additionally, they should have a degree in fine art or art history to provide informed and insightful recommendations.

Image: Artelier Art Consultancy

The process of hiring an art consultant for the first time

Each art consultancy firm will have their own approach and style, however here is a general breakdown of what to expect:

Introductory Call:

When you reach out to your chosen consultant they will likely invite you to a free consultation in order to have a discussion about your specific project and needs. This will allow you to share information about your project as well as allow the consultant to discuss whether this might feel like a good fit. This is a great time to see if you have good rapport with the consultant and their team and if you can see yourself working with them in the future.

Understanding your project vision:

During your initial consultations, try to communicate your project vision in as much detail as you can from the start. The consultant will then need to understand what you are looking for from the start in order to make the most relevant recommendations. In the first instance, it will be important for the consultant to understand what matters most to you, when selecting the artworks. The more details you can provide from the start, the better the outcome.

Contract signing and agreements:

If you both feel that it is a good fit the art consultant will at this stage prepare a quote for you or explain what percentage of the art sales they may charge as a fee. You will also be signing a contract or agreement at this stage.

Sit back and wait for proposals

If you have not booked in any gallery tours and visits, then at this stage you can sit back and wait for a comprehensive proposal to come in with artwork options and themes. Art consultants often visit art fairs to discover new works and emerging talent for their clients. This process may take several weeks depending on the scope of the project.

Feedback and Refine

At this stage you will have seen your proposal and be able to provide feedback, this may be an ongoing discussion that may take several weeks as the art consultants refines the selection, their team may perhaps research more works and presents you with additional options.

Commissioning and Installation

Once you have agreed on a final proposal, it is usually time to commission or purchase the works. If you require new pieces to be commissioned then the art consultant will undertake all of the art commissioning with the artists on your behalf (saving you a lot of time and headaches). If you are purchasing existing works most art consultants will also organise all the art handling and transportation as well as final framing if you so require it

Fees involved in working with an art consultant

The costs involved in working with an art consultant can vary by consultant and project so the best thing to do is to simply ask them as part of the introductory call how their fee structure works. Art consultants often work closely with private clients to provide bespoke art solutions tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

Common approaches would include working on a retainer fee with an hourly rate for extra services. This means that you will pay them a lump sum, usually per month or year to work as your trusted advisor and representative in the art world. Another approach more suited to temporary projects will be for the consultant to work on a commissioning structure taking a percentage of the final sale. Lastly if you are simply seeking a consultation on a project and would like to source the artwork yourself, then there will simply be a consultation fee.

It is important to be upfront about your budget for the project as this will greatly inform the type of art that will be selected. If you are too vague, what can often happen is that the artists pitched in the proposal will be too overpriced. This will then lead to having to find substitute artists who would do that work for a cheaper price which will have an impact on quality.

Image: Artelier Art Consultancy

Final installation of artworks

When you have a trusted advisor the process of selecting art for your project should become a smooth and seamless one. The art consultant and their team will be working hard behind the scenes to put together a beautifully curated selection of artworks that will meet your brief and budget. They will also help in curating and installing art collections that align with your vision. Depending on your project you should be able to finalise the artwork selection and installation in a few weeks or months and you should be ready to enjoy your new artworks.

Need an Art Consultant?

If you are still looking for a trusted art consultant here Artelier we have worked on sourcing art for a variety of clients such as private collectors, yacht owners and large hotel projects. We specialise in acquiring art for a variety of clients, helping them expand their collections with exceptional pieces. ist

Our team has worked on all types of art projects, whether commissioning a single piece or curating works for an entire hotel. If you are interested in finding out more do not hesitate to get in touch or browse through our website to find out more.