The art trade includes several branches of activity, in particular exhibiting artworks and art objects in a gallery. The career of gallery owner requires specific training and skills. Find in this article the key information about the gallery owner career:

What is an art gallery manager?

The gallery owner is the manager of an art gallery, an essential venue for artists promoting their work. An intermediary between artists and buyers, they are above all passionate about art, and must have an in-depth knowledge of art and its market.

Become a gallery owner

What are the missions of an art gallery owner?

The gallery owner shows versatility insofar as they carry out several missions:

  • Seek out new artistic talent;
  • Choose the collections or works to exhibit;
  • Create a catalog of works by artist;
  • Organize the opening reception and the exhibition;
  • Ensure the promotion of artworks and art objects to potential buyers;
  • Assess the value of artworks and art objects;

Ensure the necessary communication around each exhibition.

Furthermore, the gallery owner works with several partners, such as journalists or exhibition curators. They may even form partnerships with other gallery owners.

What Skills Are Required for the Gallery Owner Profession?

The gallery owner must master every aspect of their profession and have many skills:

  • Very good artistic knowledge;
  • Excellent knowledge of the art market;
  • Ability to negotiate the best prices;
  • Business aptitude;
  • People skills, good interpersonal skills;
  • Good listening skills;
  • Availability;
  • Command of a foreign language, preferably English;
  • Versatility and dynamism;
  • Curiosity and interest in art;
  • Ability to welcome the public.

What Are the Fields of Practice of the Gallery Owner Profession?

The gallery owner works in the art trade and event business. They organize and promote artists' collections through exhibitions and openings. They may also play a role in appraising artworks and art objects. They can specialize either in ancient or modern works and art objects, or in contemporary art. While their main mission is promoting local artists, they may also work internationally.

What Training Is Needed to Become a Gallery Owner?

You need to take specific studies to become a gallery owner. IESA, the international school for careers in culture and the art market, offers Bac+3 and Bac+5 programs providing access to the gallery owner profession.

The Bachelor in Art Market, a Bac+3 program

The Bachelor in Art Market awards a Bac+3 degree with the title of Art and Art Object Sales Manager, a level 6 title registered with the RNCP (Répertoire national des certifications professionnelles). This degree is required to enter one of the Masters or the MBA leading to the gallery owner profession. This 3-year program is open to students holding a baccalaureate outside Parcoursup, and can also be joined through parallel admission in the 2nd and 3rd years. Learners can choose work-study starting in the 2nd year.

Masters and Bac+5 Programs

The Masters in Ancient / Modern Art and Contemporary Art are for holders of a Bachelor in Art Expertise and Commerce, or an equivalent degree. This program awards a Bac+5 degree with the title of Arts and Cultural Projects Administrator, registered at level 7 of the RNCP.

Professional training to become a Gallery Owner is provided by Drouot Formation:

The Drouot Formation program, through daily contact with the works presented at the Hôtel Drouot and with market professionals, combined with perfect mastery of the process of showcasing works of art, is ideal preparation for the professions of gallery owner or antiques dealer. As practicing these professions is the result of a sometimes long and complex process, students are supported throughout the year to build their professional project alongside their studies, which is one of the strengths of Drouot Formation.

MBA Contemporary art professional program

IESA also offers an MBA-type program, the MBA Contemporary art: sales, display and collecting. It is open to career changers and students. Candidates must hold a Bac+4 level degree with 240 ECTS credits and have an IELTS level of 6.0. This program is taught entirely in English. It also awards a registered level 7 RNCP title: Arts and Cultural Projects Administrator.

What Is the Salary of an Art Gallery Owner?

Gallery owners generally work as independents and own their own art gallery. Their income is proportional to the revenue generated by their gallery, and is generally 50% of the sale price of each work. (Source: CIDJ.com – Job profile: Gallery Owner (art) – Accessed 05/22/2025)

IESA admission requirements

Registration goes through 4 steps:

  1. Apply via the application form or the online application;
  2. An admission interview: conducted through an individual interview or an admission session;
  3. An admissions committee deliberates to admit the student or not;
  4. An enrollment file to be submitted once the student is admitted.

Upon receipt of the application file, the admissions department contacts the candidate for an admission session or an individual appointment.

IESA’s 3-year Bachelors are intended for students holding a Baccalauréat. Students holding a validated Bac+1 or Bac+2 can join the program in the 2nd or 3rd year through lateral admission procedures.

The 2-year Masters are intended for those with a Bachelor or bachelor’s degree. It is possible to join these programs directly in the 2nd year if you hold a Bac+4.