Commercial art gallery manager: Job description

A commercial art gallery manager is responsible for the commercial and artistic success of a gallery. This involves overseeing the diverse activities involved in running a gallery space.

Responsibilities range from dealing with clients to installing exhibitions. Because of this scope, the role demands a combination of artistic awareness, business acumen, interpersonal skills and practical abilities.

Commercial art galleries vary in style, size and purpose. The art market continues to diversify to include more regional artist-led spaces and a variety of different types of galleries with different approaches to the selling of art, but a period spent in London or another large city may still be necessary for managers to widen their job opportunities.

This is a market-led industry that demands commercial focus and flair, in addition to an interest in art.

Typical work activities

Typical work activities depend on the size, commercial success and ethos of the gallery. Some gallery managers are generalists, while those working in larger galleries are specialists dealing with specific areas, such as finance, marketing and IT.

Typical activities include:

• ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the gallery;
• developing and/or maintaining the gallery's remit;
• maintaining ongoing promotion and advertising of the gallery;
• assessment and selection of art work;
• overseeing the type of art work sold;
• planning, organising, presenting and marketing exhibitions and shows, including responsibility for public relations;
• working closely with individual artists, developing relationships with new artists, and extending relationships with established artists from the gallery ‘stable’;
• promoting exhibitions and work by individual artists;
• curating shows in cooperation with artists and technicians;
• arranging transportation of work to and from the gallery, both nationally and internationally;
• organising equipment hire;
• negotiating with gallery managers and curators from other galleries to arrange for loans;
• keeping front of house staff briefed on technical and artistic matters relating to programming;
• developing client lists by notifying potential clients of particular works and exhibitions, according to their stated interests;
• extending the client database;
• liaising with visiting artists and negotiating sales;
• cataloguing acquisitions and keeping records and archives;
• developing and updating the gallery website;
• promoting and selling artists’ work, through both exhibitions and personal contacts;
• keeping up to date with industry developments and market trends;
• general administration, budgeting, finance and accounts.