What You Need to Know to Become an International Art Dealer

Whether you have a passion for art, a passion for business – or best of all, a passion for both – becoming an international art dealer can be a lucrative venture. Like with any business dealings though, you’re required to know a thing or two about this industry first, before you start trading.

If this is something that interests you, then take a look through this post to find out a few key things to have in place, to put you on the right path.

Focus on a Niche

First of all, you should look to focus on a particular style or type of art. Ultimately, if you cast your net too wide you risk trying to handle too much at once. At first you should pick an area that interests you, or something in which you already specialize. This way you can engage with customers and other sellers much easier.

Make Friends in the Right Places

A significant part of being an art dealer is knowing the right people. It’s a huge industry and you won’t be able to break into this without having a few contacts. One approach you can take here, one, as detailed in this piece from The Financial Times, is to make yourself appear as wealthy and prestigious as possible.

While this may sound a little shallow, the fact is that in order to make friends in high places, you need to look and act the part.

Stay on the Right Side of the Law

When you start physically buying, handling and moving expensive works of art, you need to make sure these assets are safe and secure. Everything from arranging auctions, to setting up galleries and of course any purchases need to follow certain rules and procedures. With this it’s smart to seek professional advice from specialists like Withers Worldwide, as such companies can advise you on how to stay safe and legal.

Manage your Deliveries

Once you’ve sold your art, you also need to then consider the logistics behind getting these delivered. Again, this needs to be something secure, so it’s worth looking at major delivery companies to see if they offer any special services dedicate to transporting works of art. Additional and useful general packaging guidance can be found in this post from Saatchi Art.

So, turn your artistic skills and interests into a practical and financially rewarding business by making the most of the above. Remember, you can also seek specialist support along the way if you feel you need it.