Introduction to Private Wealth: Collections, Foundations, and Museums

Just as the most commercially successful living artists have become prominent employers within the art industry, so too have the most prolific private collectors, presenting a wealth of opportunities for professionals aiming to make their mark.

Collection Managers play a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless functioning of extensive art holdings. Their responsibilities span archiving, cataloguing, logistics, framing, conservation, and valuations. Additionally, they liaise with external suppliers and collaborate with international property managers to ensure that artworks are meticulously cared for and readily accessible. While Collection Managers are typically employed by private family offices, they may also serve as external consultants or be engaged through advisory firms.

?In certain instances, Collection Managers transcend their administrative roles to assume a curatorial stance. They guide clients in defining and cultivating their collections, advising on new acquisitions, brokering collaborations with institutions for loans and endowments, and offering strategic insights into estate management.

Curatorial roles within private museums and foundations are fiercely competitive, necessitating specialised education and training. In addition to collaborating with exhibitions departments, curators in this realm often oversee high-profile international loans and exhibitions. While their responsibilities may mirror those of their public gallery counterparts, the private sector offers candidates substantially higher salaries.

Many prolific private collectors have chosen to house their collections within private museums or foundations, a strategic move to safeguard and champion their artistic legacy. Establishing a private museum or foundation often requires specialised advice from legal, financial, and cultural consultants. Once established, these privately-owned institutions introduce another facet of employment within the art industry. Depending on their scope, these entities may employ a single director with a compact administrative team or boast a more expansive staff, rivalling that of a public museum.

SML and Private Wealth (Collections, Foundations, and Museums)

Navigating careers within private art collections, museums, and foundations presents a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the art world. As this sector continues to grow and evolve, professionals are positioned at the forefront of preserving artistic legacies and pioneering philanthropic endeavours, shaping the future of the art industry. With potential employers taking a discreet approach to hiring, we provide confidential support to both clients and candidates, guiding the process sensitively and carefully.