Working with an art consultant, also known as an art advisor, comes with many perks.
When looking for the right candidate, you want to look for experience in similar projects. This could be based on size, location, or style. Note that if you like an art consultant’s work, and your only qualm is that you want the consultant to focus on contemporary instead of antique paintings, it’s worth asking the consultant about the project. Consultants do not adopt a personal style or preference. Their job is to mirror your wants for your art collection.
Consultants will participate in gallery tours and stay up-to-date with openings. It’s much easier to rely on an art consultant to stay informed about new artists and styles, especially if you’re balancing a demanding career with a busy personal life. An art consultant or advisor works daily with gallerists and artists to stay current.
Art consultants have experience working with large projects and making a collection of art flow seamlessly through hallways. If you’re looking to furnish a new office and want the project completed quickly, an art consultant is a great option (1).
Art Advisors Can Help Protect Your Collection in the Following Ways:
Art advisors are very familiar with the nitty-gritty details of owning an art collection. They are a great resource when managing facets like taxes and estate planning. Here are 5 art collection details where your consultant can advise:
Proper Insurance: An art advisor should be well-versed in how to secure the proper insurance for your collection. Learn more about fine art insurance here.
Selling Artwork: If you are interested in selling a piece of art, the first suggestion is always to contact the original seller, whether that be a gallery or artist. Your art consultant can assist in this. If the gallery or artist is not available or interested in taking back the art, your consultant can assist in selling the work.
Conservation: Art advisors will either be familiar with or have the tools to research the different conservationists in your area. They can find a candidate with the experience needed as well as manage the art repairs and restorations.
Shipping & Shipping Insurance: If you need to ship a piece of art, special attention and care should be given to the packaging and shipping insurance. In some cases, it is inadvisable to ship certain works and you need to know when these situations arise. Your art advisor can handle this for you.
Estate Planning: Advisors are a knowledgeable resource to consult when going through the beginning stages of planning an estate. Learn more about planning your estate here.
Sales Tax: When purchasing art out of state or filing taxes, advisors are experienced in the best way to handle your payments. “Sales tax is definitely an issue across the country,” Maier asserts. “The laws are different in different states.” (2)
Art Advisors Will Help You Contextualize the Work
An art advisor is familiar with how to steward a collection through time. “You want to hire someone that understands the parameters of caring for the work in your possession for a few decades,” Maier says. An art advisor is a resource to further your satisfaction and success when making changes and additions to your art collection. “Art advisors are here to help you.” (2)
Credit
1) n.p. Artwork Archive, “What an Art Consultant Can Do for Your Collection.” Retrieved from:https://www.artworkarchive.com. n.d. Web. August 19, 2019.
2) n.p. Artwork Archive, “What You Need to Know About Hiring An Art Consultant.” Retrieved from:https://www.artworkarchive.com. n.d. Web. August 19, 2019.