Art Gallery Manager Resume Example & Writing Guide

How to Write an Art Gallery Manager resume

You are ready for your next move. Let Resume.io help you paint the picture of success you need to grab that interview! As an Art Gallery Manager, you have an eye for quality as well as business / retail sense and sales. This unique combination of skills gives you a great advantage when it comes to creating the perfect resume. Art Gallery Managers are responsible for the proper functioning of an art gallery. This requires a diverse set of skills. Using this guide you will learn how to:

• Attract the attention of recruiters and gallery directors
• Best highlight your professional experience and abilities
• Use your visual arts talent on your resume design while maintaining legibility
• Write a resume summary that shines.

Resume.io, its resume builder tool and resume layout templates will help you frame yourself as a fabulous candidate.

Profile summary resume sample

Your profile , also known as a summary, offers recruiters a glimpse of your professional personality. Part of your job is sales, and gallery directors will want to know you can sell. Show them you can by selling your candidacy first! Since some gallery managers write press releases and the gallery website and social media presence, it is important that you exhibit your talent for writing. This is the best place within your resume to do so. You may also use this ability in your cover letter . 

Here you have about 100 words to showcase your biggest successes. Consider highlighting the gallery sales you have facilitated using relevant sales numbers. The bottom line for this job is sales, although it encompasses much more. Use strong descriptive words to show your communication style as well. Because there are so many different styles and media within the art world, you should call attention to your enthusiasm for the type of art sold in the gallery, as well as your ability to cultivate friendships and partnerships that will benefit the gallery.

Many art gallery positions are in major cities such as New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, so if you do not live in one of those places and are willing to move, make sure you mention that.

See example content below.

Work Experience on your Art Gallery resume

Your role as an Art Gallery Manager can vary greatly depending upon the size and specific nature of the gallery. You might be responsible for communicating with artists, planning gallery exhibitions and art fair representation, networking with clients, and working to ensure a pleasant experience for gallery visitors. You will probably manage daily operations and direct other staff members as necessary. In addition, you may provide information to visitors, liaise with artists and clients, and direct press and listings. 

This means that you should be as specific as possible as you begin your resume writing. You should always personalize your resume based on the individual job for which you are applying. This is partly because it will help you include the keywords and phrases that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan for, but also because it shows gallery directors that you really want the job and understand their requirements.

Your Employment History section should be an overview of all you have accomplished and your growth throughout your career. Perhaps you started out as a gallery assistant and have worked your way up or learned higher-level skills while on the job. Make that clear here. If you are looking for a promotion, you must prove you are ready for the added challenge by describing the parts of the job you have already done and emphasizing that you are a quick study. 

Touch on as wide a variety as skills as you can without turning this section into a list of responsibilities. Use strong action verbs in each bullet item as you talk about a process you improved and how, a problem you solved and the results you achieved, or an artist acquisition you are proud of. Remember that data such as sales figures strengthen your case. See resume sample content below.

Education section example

An ideal candidate holds a bachelor of arts degree in fine arts, art history, business, or a related field. In addition to your bachelor’s degree, you may have taken art, business, or even Adobe Photoshop or other software classes to boost your skills. List any classes or certificates you have earned that relate to the position you seek. Any honors or distinctions should be noted here as well. If you hold a degree higher than a bachelor's degree, you may leave out your high school. 

See example content below.

Resume sample section : Skills 

Because your job requires a wide range of skills and all galleries function a bit differently, you will have to curate this section carefully for each job. First, analyze the job description. Then, match as best you can the requirements listed with your skillset. Try to include a mix of interpersonal skills , also known as soft skills, and the specific skills necessary for your job, or hard skills. These include office management, art knowledge, and the ability to orchestrate art exhibitions.

Choose five to ten skills from the job listing. When deciding which skills to pick, always focus on higher-level abilities that will elevate your candidacy.

See example content below.

Formatting and layout

Here is your opportunity to show off your eye for design. Although you are probably an excellent designer, we suggest using one of Resume.io’s field-tested resume templates from the Creative category as a starting point. While you are well versed in art, your resume format is different. Here are some important tips:

• Find a balance between your creative urge and the reality that recruiters need to scan your resume quickly to find what they are looking for
• Keep all your personal data such as contact information out of headers and footers than ATS may not be able to read correctly
• Ask a friend or colleague to proofread and edit your resume. A second set of eyes is always helpful.

Follow these helpful tips on the creation of your resume , and you will be on your way to finding the Art Gallery Manager position you are looking for!