Art valuer
Art valuers give advice on how much a piece of art or a collection of art is worth.
Typical Salary
£20,000 – £40,000
per year
Working Hours
38–40
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As an art valuer, you might:
- assess the condition, quality and age of the art
- check if objects have been restored or changed in any way
- carry out research and speak with specialists and historians
- keep up to date with current prices and demand
- prepare written valuations for clients
- lead auctions and make sure goods are sold for the best price
- act as an expert witness in disputed cases that have gone to court
Skills needed
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- customer service skills
- administration skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
- maths knowledge
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- working towards this role
- a graduate training scheme
Career progression
You could become a specialist in a particular period or type of art, move from small to large auction houses or work in a high profile gallery.
With experience you could set up your own business, offering a valuation service as well as buying and selling fine arts and antiques.