Time to Pass the Baton
Being an Art Curator is one of the great joys of my life. VJB Arts has been my baby for 16 years; a creative passion project where I can make spaces look beautiful and exhibit the incredible talent of our UK artistic community. It’s truly been a privilege.
16 years on and after curating over 200 exhibitions, I’ve decided it’s time to pass the baton. I have a 3-year-old now (any parent will understand!) and I’ve put my own painting aside for years.
It’s time for me to pass the skills and business that I’ve built, and the opportunity to curate these stunning venues, onto someone new with the passion and enthusiasm to make it their own.
Background
I stumbled into curating in 2007 by asking if I could hold my own exhibition in a corporate office reception. The management team liked the way I filled the space with paintings and offered me a job curating future exhibitions. The following year they invited me to roll out my art programme to their entire portfolio of office buildings. I soon found myself with 5 glossy indoor venues and a monumental sculpture exhibition along the Thames.
At times I worked full-time and at other times, as projects came and went, buildings were sold to new owners or the economy had a downturn, it became my enamoured little side-hustle.
Small Business for Sale
I’m selling my Limited Company, although really, it’s a mixture of selling a small business and a job interview. I want to make sure my clients are well taken care of, and that the art programme continues to run smoothly.
I’m looking for a diligent, mega-organised and super-friendly Art Curator to take over the programme from April / May 2024. Note, the work and income are currently part-time, around 1 day a week.
Full training and 121 mentorship will be provided, with the opportunity to shadow me at my next two rounds of installations (Sept 2023 & Jan 2024), working alongside professional hanging technicians. This training will provide everything a curator needs to step into my shoes and begin straight away.
There will be an introduction to the building managers of each venue and the Asset Manager responsible for the buildings. (He also manages 11 further buildings in London, so there may be potential to expand.)
What’s Included?
Tools & Training to Become an Art Curator
- Limited Company
- Introduction to curating 2 prime buildings in the City of London
- 3 exhibitions in each building, 6 exhibitions per year
- Paid by the client per exhibition + commission from artwork sales
- Scope to increase building portfolio
- 121 Mentoring and training on how to curate and manage exhibitions
- On-site installation and art handling training
- Training to start now, ownership of the business to begin in April / May 2024
Contacts & Marketing
- Introduction to previous buyers and clients
- Database of over 200 artists
- Supplier contacts:
- Art movers and international shippers
- Art installation companies
- Framers, photographers & graphic designers
- Artwork Insurance Broker
- Accountant
- Press contact list
- Training on email marketing
- Professional venue photographs
Legal Agreements, Policies & Health and Safety
- Artist / consignment agreements
- Commissioning agreement
- Buyer terms & conditions
- Anti-money laundering risk assessment and policy
- Risk assessment & method statements
Templates
- Client presentation & quotation templates
- Artist card & pricelist templates
- Floor plan and spacial layout templates
- Condition report template
- Invoices and finance tracking templates
What’s Not Included?
VJB Arts name (it was my initials so I think your new business should be personalised to you), website, email address, logos & letterhead.
Person Specification
- Passion for art and supporting the UK artistic community
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Super-organised and forward planning approach
- Friendly and professional communicator
- Creative, eye for design with good spatial awareness
- Good problem solving and negotiation skills
- InDesign and Photoshop literate
- It’s recommended that you complete a health & safety accredited qualification e.g. IOSH Managing Safely
Financial Information
- Turnover for financial year 2022 – 2023 = £30,000
- Profit and accounts from 2013 onwards available to view
- Itemised artwork sales from 2013 onwards available to view
What’s the Price?
Guide price £15,000 – £20,000
Contact Me
If you’re interested, reach out on the website contact page to set up an intro and discussion. Serious enquiries only please.
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