FAQ

What is an art consultant?

A professional art consultant is an individual who can provide a range of independent and ethical advice and services that assists individuals, groups, companies or institutions with the management and maintenance of a collection, a work of art or an arts project.

What services can a consultant offer?

There is a broad range of services that art consultants offer including the following:

• investment advice
• buying and selling advice (procurement and re-sale)
• restoration and conservation advice
• floor talks/educational programmes on a broad range of subjects according to specialisation
• collections management
• insurance valuations
• independent valuation of artwork for the purpose of buying or selling
• estate management
• superannuation investment advice
• installation and hanging advice
• storage and transport advice
• auction room advice
• arts administration
• media and other written statements
• research
• project management - This can be in relation to one work or an entire collection, for private collectors or corporate and public entities.

How do I know that advice given to me by an art consultant is independent and ethical?

Whilst there are no guarantees, this association seeks to present a clear picture of each consultant and their respective vested interests. Thus, each consultant is required to provide up to date information on their education and business interests and to have these listed on this site so as potential clients can be aware of any potential conflict of interest. Please refer to our question and answer pages for recommendations on what to ask an art consultant at the initial discussion.

What if a consultant runs a gallery? Won't that be a conflict of interest?

Many art consultants run several businesses including art dealerships, galleries and links to institutions and auction rooms that involve the buying and selling of artworks. This can be construed as possessing vested interest in certain circumstances. The members of ACAA believe in ethical dealings and, by publishing these details on our site, are acknowledging their interests publicly and thus allowing the client to be informed and aware.

What is the purpose of this site?

This website seeks to de-mystify the industry and allow individuals to seek the services of art consultants with confidence. The association is not a watch dog, however we require that our members act ethically in their dealings and uphold the standards of the ACAA constitution.

What do I do if I am unhappy with the service provided by a member I contacted through this site?

Contact the public officer who can act as a liaison between you and the consultant and attempt to resolve the dispute or misunderstanding. If it is considered that a member consultant has acted inappropriately, membership can be terminated at the discretion of the committee. The committee's decision is final.

Positive Feedback: What to do when I have had excellent service provided by a member I contacted through this site?

Contact the Public Officer who will forward your comments to the consultant and also include your comments in the bi-annual industry newsletter (December/June).

What are some good questions to ask an art consultant?

• What is your industry experience?
• Do you have educational qualifications in the field?
• Do you have an arrangement with any of the auction houses/galleries?
• Will you be receiving an introductory commission from this sale/purchase?
• What is your area of specialisation? What makes you a specialist in this area/these areas?
• How do you verify the authenticity of an artwork?
• How do you come to an understanding of the value of an artwork?

How do art consultants get paid?

Most consultants offer either an hourly rate, a day rate, they can charge a percentage of value when working out a fee structure or they can be on a retainer. It will depend entirely on the nature of the consultancy and should be discussed and agreed up front.

Things to be aware of:

When engaging a consultant to buy or sell work through auction or a gallery the consultant may have preferred arrangements with certain businesses. It is worth asking the consultant if they receive any payment from the gallery or auction room that has been recommended. It is standard procedure for most galleries and auction houses to have a negotiated payment from both the client and the seller (all auction rooms do the same) and an introductory commission may be paid to the third party or liaison person, however it is sensible to have these factors in the open.