Job hunting in the art world is tough. Working at ‘White Cube’ in London gave me the opportunity to understand a little more about how this complicated world works. From my own perspective, what helped me most were the networks I created by attending various cultural events I found in the city. I hope that these simple tips will help you to be brave, positive and eager to throw yourself into the contemporary art world!
1- Think outside the box: how many people have suggested that to you and presented it as the key to success? I would rather say that it’s always useful to find various different ways to solve problems or organise tasks. Just be creative and let the creativity stand next to the process. Don’t focus purely on museums or auction houses, for instance. Find more institutions that deal with contemporary art and approach it via a different route.
2- Present yourself in the best way you can: try to build a CV that clarifies who you are, what you’ve done and who you want to be. After a professional statement, which should contain your own background in a nutshell, outline your skills in a clear and practical way. Then, for each job experience find the key words that define the assignments you’ve completed in detail. Detail and depth are striking and noticeable features to develop in your CV!
3- Be aware: always pay attention to which art shows and fairs are on in your city. Talk about these events in job interviews and use them to build up your own opinion of the contemporary art world. Use examples and refer to the artists significant at the moment.
4- Be different: try to find a detail that distinguishes you from your peers. Focus on a few qualities that really identify who you are, and work on these, turning them in positive skills. Let people know that, thanks to these unique skills, you’re able to do interesting stuff.
5- Be pushy: try to contact and talk to as many people as possible. Make a list of the galleries, museums and institutions you’re interested in. Search the workers on LinkedIn, find their email addresses and contact them! Send emails introducing yourself and give them a strong reason to hire you. Don’t give up if you don’t receive answers! Keep calling and emailing them. At some point your stubbornness will prevail!
6- Start exploring: become a member of local museums. You will want to be able to speak to visitors about local exhibitions. Contributions along with your membership may also get you invitations to exclusive events. These events are great ways to meet people. Networking is the best tool you have! The art world relies on word of mouth and nothing’s better than being on everyone’s lips!
7- Subscribe to art boards: create your own profile on the better art job boards like the Dots, Artnet, Art info, ArtTactic, Artsy, Arts jobs and Arts up. The internet is full of available boards of jobs offers. Plus, check the websites of your favourite institutions once a week and be aware of the vacancies. Job hunting is a full-time job!
8- Learn a foreign language: in the art world it is very important to speak two or more different languages. French, Italian, German and Chinese are the most valuable languages to get in contact with. For a gallery or museum, it is essential to communicate with the rest of the world, as well as clients, buyers and artists from other countries.
9- Don’t be too picky but don’t ‘settle’ either: try to gain as much work experience as possible and reach outside your comfort zone with the roles you take on. Don’t suddenly close the door if a job is not exactly what you were looking for. Sometimes an unexpected opportunity and passion can rise out of the blue. On the other hand, don’t accept the kind of work that is completely unrelated to the art world or your own passion. Never be desperate to find a job at any price. Life’s long enough!
Alice Previtali