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If you love art, a gallery assistant position might just be the right thing for you. But you’re not alone. Gallery assistant jobs are in very high demand – particularly for recent graduates – which is why your art gallery assistant CV needs to impress recruiters.
That’s where we come in. By following our CV writing advice, you’ll have a palette of knowledge about gallery assistant duties and skills. That’s topped off with a ready-made CV example (or should that be ‘one we made earlier’) and professional templates to get you started.
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Top tips for your gallery assistant CV
Because it’s the dream job for many art graduates and enthusiasts, applications for gallery assistant jobs (UK) are usually highly competitive. These tips will increase your chances of success.
Have your portfolio at hand
The first thing you need to be a successful applicant is an interest in the arts. Chances are that if you are applying for a gallery assistant position, you have at least dabbled in painting or the plastic arts. Don’t panic – drawing and sculpting aren’t among the average gallery assistant duties. However, having a portfolio is tangible proof that art is a big part of your life. You don’t need to be Picasso either. Simply assembling the work you did for an art course or degree will increase your chances of getting an interview. You can elaborate on this in your cover letter to keep your CV as concise as possible.
Prove that you are a good seller
Whether run privately or by a public body, most art galleries effectively function as businesses. The average art gallery assistant job description will make it clear that the successful candidate must be able to sell and promote different services or products. These can range from art prints or postcards to exclusive exhibitions. Previous customer experience that includes any sort of upselling duties will be highly valued.
Highlight your language skills
We may not have sunny beaches, but the art industry in the UK attracts millions of visitors every year. Suffice to say, a good percentage of the customers at an art gallery will be tourists. Although English is a global language, some visitors will value being spoken to in their mother tongue. On top of that, knowledge of foreign cultures will help when arranging exhibitions and answering questions about the art. From Mandarin to Spanish, foreign languages are one of the keys to creating the perfect art gallery assistant CV.
Show that you’re an excellent communicator
Any gallery assistant role will require liaising with different people from customers and colleagues to artists and funding groups. That means that you will need to know how to be an engaging speaker who can master different registers. Making your communication skills stand out will increase your chances of getting an interview.
Gallery assistant skills to include in your CV
While gallery assistant job descriptions will vary, there are some skills that are practically universal for the gallery assistant jobs.
Must-have gallery assistant skills
- Good people skills
- Interest in the arts
- Project management
- Excellent customer service
- Flexibility
- Teamwork
Added extras to set you apart
- Foreign languages
- Knowledge of local area
- Interpersonal skills
- Storytelling
- Retail experience
- Public speaking
Make your personal statement a work of art
People who work in galleries aren’t in it for the money – instead, they’re driven by passion. That’s why you’ll need a strong personal statement if you want to be taken into consideration for a gallery assistant role.
In 2-3 sentences, give a concise explanation of your motivations and write about what your skills and art knowledge can bring to the gallery. If you need some inspiration, our personal statement examples could be the muse that ignites your creative spark.
Top FAQs about your gallery assistant CV
What is a gallery assistant?
Without simplifying too much, a brief gallery assistant description is a customer service advisor working in an arts environment. This is usually a public-facing role that requires you to liaise with visitors and customers. Although most employees at a gallery work contracted hours, some public-run museums often advertise casual gallery assistant jobs on a zero-hours basis.
What does a gallery assistant do?
Gallery assistant jobs entail helping with the everyday operations of museums, exhibitions or galleries. These tasks include welcoming visitors, arranging shop stock and protecting the collection from damage and theft. On top of that, the assistants also need to sell admission tickets, books or merchandise. Most importantly, a gallery assistant enhances the visitor experience by providing help in a friendly manner and offering expert knowledge of the displayed collections.
What is the average gallery assistant salary?
Because this is an entry-level position, the average art gallery assistant salary is around £20,000 per year. Wages can vary based on location, with London galleries typically offering more. Understandably, this will be calculated pro-rata for casual gallery assistant jobs.
How do I write a CV for an art gallery?
When applying for a gallery assistant role, you need your devotion to the arts to shine through your CV. You can do this by adding a “personal interests” section to your CV to show your potential employer that you’re the perfect candidate for the job.
How do I write a cover letter for a gallery job?
When it comes to gallery assistant jobs, a good cover letter can be the make-or-break factor. First of all, it needs to look professional, so free cover letter templates. After mounting your case by listing your skills and experience, impress your future employers with expert knowledge of the collections displayed at the gallery. This will make your cover letter stand out from the crowd.
Related CVs Arts CV Examples
Put your gallery assistant CV in the right frame
You don’t have to be the new Van Gogh to craft a charming gallery assistant CV. Our online CV builder will be the brush and canvas that you need to get an art gallery job. Use our customisable CV templates as inspiration and then add a personal flair with pre-written content based on gallery assistant duties and skills.
