Careers in the art world

Art Gallery Jobs

A commercial art gallery is a small business with unusual specializations. The team is compact — often five to twenty people even at established mid-market galleries — and the roles have overlapping responsibilities. This is a plain-language guide to the working roles inside a gallery, what each one actually does, typical salary ranges in major markets, and where openings are posted.

Common Roles Inside a Commercial Gallery

Gallery Director

$85k–$180k (major markets)

Owns the program, artist roster, and P&L. Sets exhibition strategy, closes major sales, and represents the gallery at fairs.

  • Artist selection and program
  • Top-tier collector relationships
  • Fair strategy and booth curation
  • Hiring and team leadership

Sales / Associate Director

$55k–$120k base + commission

Handles day-to-day collector relationships, closes sales, and manages placement of works with private collections and institutions.

  • Client meetings and viewings
  • Sales negotiation and invoicing
  • Collector CRM and outreach
  • Fair booth sales

Registrar

$45k–$85k

The gallery's system of record. Owns inventory, condition reports, shipping, insurance, loans, and consignment paperwork.

  • Inventory database and location tracking
  • Condition reports and photography
  • Shipping, crating, customs
  • Consignment and loan agreements

Preparator / Art Handler

$40k–$70k

Physical care and installation of the work. Builds crates, hangs exhibitions, and moves pieces safely on- and off-site.

  • Installation and de-installation
  • Crating and packing
  • Lighting and hanging
  • On-site condition checks

Gallery Assistant / Front of House

$38k–$55k

The first point of contact for visitors. Often the entry-level role from which most gallery careers begin.

  • Visitor greeting and inquiries
  • Opening events
  • Admin and CRM data entry
  • Basic sales support

Exhibitions Manager

$55k–$95k

Runs the calendar. Coordinates artists, catalogues, press, and openings for each show on the gallery program.

  • Show timelines and production
  • Artist coordination
  • Catalogue and press
  • Opening logistics

Communications / Digital Manager

$50k–$90k

Owns the gallery's public voice — press, social, email, and (increasingly) the online viewing room and website.

  • Press outreach and mailing
  • Social and email programs
  • Website and online viewing rooms
  • Fair PR support

Where Gallery Jobs Are Posted

Most gallery openings are posted on a small set of specialist boards rather than general job sites. These are the most reliable places to look:

How Gallery Hiring Actually Happens

A significant share of gallery hiring never touches a public job board. Roles are filled through:

If you are early in your career, being present at openings, fairs, and gallery events consistently — over years, not weeks — is how most people build the network that produces an offer.

If you run the gallery, not the job search

Aurelian is the private operating record galleries use for consignments, artist rosters, sales, and collector relationships — the system a new registrar or director inherits on day one.

Art gallery management software →For galleries →

FAQ

Do you need an art history degree to work in a gallery?

Not always. Directorial and curatorial paths usually require an art history background, but registrar, preparator, sales, and communications roles hire from adjacent fields — logistics, retail, PR, and design.

What's the typical entry-level role?

Gallery assistant or front-of-house. Most gallery careers begin here, then branch into sales, registrar, or exhibitions work.

Are gallery jobs commission-based?

Sales roles usually combine a base salary with commission on closed sales. Registrar, preparator, and communications roles are salaried.

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