Commercial art gallery manager : Training

Training is mainly on the job and may include shadowing other managers or more experienced colleagues to gain skills related to dealing with artists and clients, framing pictures or installing exhibitions, as well as studying to gain administrative or secretarial skills.

Although many gallery managers have no formal training beyond their degree, a number of relevant postgraduate diploma and degree courses are available. These vary widely, from courses with a focus on art gallery management to those with a broader approach to museums and galleries. Courses in arts policy and arts management may be useful for existing arts managers. Postgraduate courses are also available in curating and art curating. Before applying for a course, it is important to check that it is relevant to your own particular career interests.

Those working in the more traditional commercial galleries may also be interested in courses run by the large auction houses, for example Christie's Education and Sotheby's Institute of Art .