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Art valuer

Alternative titles for this job include

Art valuers give advice on how much a piece of art or a collection of art is worth.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 irregular

You could work

evenings / weekends as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate training scheme

University

You could complete a degree in a subject, such as art history, fine arts and restoration or fine arts conservation.

After your degree if you could then take professional training in valuation. You could also do a specialist postgraduate course, like art market and appraisal or arts business.

Internships

Some large auction houses offer internship programmes for university students.

Your university careers service can give you advice about internships and work experience placements, and how to find them.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Work

You could work in an auction house or antiques business as an assistant, porter or cataloguer. This is a great opportunity to learn through experience and part time study.

Volunteering

You might find it useful to get some work experience as getting in to this work can be competitive. Volunteering can also help you to get started in this career.

Other Routes

You could join a graduate training scheme with a large auction house. Employers only offer a few of these each year.

You'll usually need a degree in a subject like history of art or fine art, along with relevant art and business experience.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in culture and heritage from the Museums Association.

You can also get information about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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
  • knowledge of the law like trading, consumer rights and property
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

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

Working environment

You could work at a client's home, in an office or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be dusty and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and 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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an art valuer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming an art valuer?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

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