FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

and some best practices about the art consulting industry

What is an art consultant?

  • Art consultants are independent art advisors (the terms ‘art consultant’ and ‘art advisor’ are interchangeable) and we are art market experts who, with in-depth research and client input, curate art selections from a variety of resources for individuals, companies, institutions, real estate professionals, architects and designers.

  • We help educate clients about art and the art market in your local area and beyond. Leveraging our professional networks and personal contacts, we source, negotiate and acquire artwork that aligns with your own unique taste, budget and environment. In addition to negotiating the best price for a piece of art, consultants have the resources to arrange the right kind of framing, shipping, placement and seamless installation for public or private art collections. 

Why hire an art consultant?

  • The art world can be an intimidating and mysterious place. Art consultants are here to assist and guide you through the process of art buying for any scale project and to navigate the complex hierarchy of galleries, art dealers, art fairs, artists and museums. We make the art world accessible to you through our personal networks. 

  • As art market specialists, we provide expert advice to inform a client’s decision when buying and selling art.

  • Remember Art Consultants do not cost you more money when acquiring artwork, we save you money and save you time from making un-informed decisions when it comes to art. A good art consultant will have a wide range of reputable sources to buy art from, they will know what artists are trending, what the market rate prices are and we negotiate the best possible price on the client’s behalf. We know how to acquire, ship, place and securely install art in any environment: corporate, hospitality, healthcare or private residences. 

What should I know when looking for an art consultant?

  • It is important to know that art consultants are separate from art galleries and art dealers. We are your independent guide, we take you to a variety of galleries or artist’s studios, or we take a variety of art selections to you. An art consultant represents your interests before anything else. Art dealers, galleries and artists have their own interests.

  • If your art consultant is also an art dealer, a gallerist or an artist, you may want to consider using a different consultant because this is a conflict of interest. 

  • It is the art consultant’s job to be objective and independent from other commercial interests in order to provide a client with the best access to a variety of art options. If a consultant has their own gallery, or a stable of artists and is only presenting you artwork that they own or have a financial interest in, that makes them an art dealer, not an independent art consultant. This applies to non-profits as well. Even if you engage with someone from a reputable non-profit art organization to be your art consultant, it does not mean they will present you with all the options available to you, it is likely they will present you only with options that benefit them and their organization. Meaning, a representative or curator from a non-profit organization will present you with artwork by their own artist members or associates before anything else. In either scenario, this is considered self-dealing and is an unethical practice. 

  • Secondly, an art consultant should never simultaneously represent themselves as an artist while they are working as an art consultant on a project, that is a double conflict of interest. Artists can sell their own work, and consultants can sell other artists works, but if an artist is also the consultant, they certainly are not providing the most objective information to a client. 

I might be interested in hiring an art consultant, but I don't want to make a commitment.

  • That’s okay! Do some research online, see if you are drawn to the work they’ve done, or ask around and set up a meeting with a consultant who knows the art market in your area (and beyond) and who has an objective point of view. It does not cost anything to have a conversation with a consultant and to see if you click. A successful relationship with an art consultant is mostly about personality and taste, but it’s important to understand what the consultant’s interests are before you do any business with them.

Have a question about art, art consulting or the art market?

Call or email us any time. 215.518.9888 or 323.791.4394 and info@rebeccaolearyartadvisory.com