A recent survey conducted by Sophie Macpherson Ltd, the specialist art industry recruitment company, has uncovered fears amongst dealers and galleries that the art world is missing out when it comes to recruiting the best people for jobs.
The survey that questioned Art dealers and galleries at two key industry events, The London Original Print Fair and the 9th Annual Chelsea Art Fair, gives an intriguing snapshot of current recruitment trends and practises in the art world:
Galleries on average have 5 employees and experience a 20% staff turnover each year
PAís and secretaries with art experience are the staff galleries and dealers find hardest to recruit (54%), followed by curatorial and exhibition staff (18%) along with craftsmen and other specialist workers (18%), then finally senior executives (9%)
The most popular recruiting methods are ëword of mouthí (100%), followed by use of a non-specialist recruitment agency (27%), and finally print media advertising (19%)
82% of those questioned in the survey believe that the art industry is missing out on talented and valuable potential staff due to current recruiting methods
82% of art dealers and galleries agreed that using a specialist recruitment company would benefit them and the art world
91% of respondents who had used non-specialist recruitment agencies to find staff were dissatisfied with the service they had received
ìEffective recruitment is fundamental for the success of any type of company in todayís competitive climate; after all, your staff are your biggest asset. The results of the survey highlight that the art industry is no different than any other in the need to improve recruitment practises. We know there is a vast pool of talented people out there, and using a specialist recruitment agency with real industry knowledge is a key way to ensure the right candidates get the right jobsî, states Sophie Macpherson, Managing Director, Sophie Macpherson Ltd.
Gallery owner Richard Temple from the Temple Gallery agrees with Sophie Macpherson and comments In todayís international art market British dealers lead the world. In both good times and bad we need to represent ourselves in the best possible way and this is achieved by two things: an exciting and high quality stock and the backing of a really good team. Investing more in recruitment is something we cannot ignore.
On a lighter note, the survey also provided art dealers and galleries with the opportunity to give their opinions on other matters:
Dead artists beat living artists as being the most exciting, with old favourites such as Gaugin, Canaletto, and Giacometti seeing off newcomers such as Lucian Freud and the Chapman brothers!
Picasso, Lucian Freud, and van Gogh were the artists respondents would most like to have dinner with, whereas Tracy Emin, Sarah Lucas, and the Chapman brothers were on the top of the list of artists to sleep with!
And fortunately, 70% of those questioned thought more people would recognise the Mona Lisa than Posh and Becks!
For additional information on the importance of specialist recruitment in the art industry, and to arrange an interview with Sophie Macpherson please contact:
Simon Hackett
Sophie Macpherson Ltd
Tel: 44 (0)1444 451012
Email: banditcommunications@yahoo.co.uk
Art world discovers recruitment is not an easy job
Survey reveals that recruiting experienced staff is a big challenge for the art world
