How to Become an Antiques Dealer

Antiques dealers buy and sell art, books, furniture, jewelry and other items that are usually more than 100 years old. Dealers come from a variety of backgrounds, including art, history and finance, and they compete in a field in which success is measured through the ownership of an antiques shop, an often short-lived venture.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Academic Counselings
• Art And Antiques Magazine Subscriptions
• Online Career Search

1. Develop the strong interpersonal skills required of a salesperson. This career is about dealing with the public.
2. Talk to antiques dealers in your area, if possible, to learn about the field.
3. Decide which college major and minor would best complement your artistic interests and lead to future success. Discuss your options with your high school guidance counselor or college adviser.
4. Refer to Petersons.com and the Princeton Review College Search (review.com) for a list of colleges. Look for schools offering fine arts programs, including art history courses, and review their catalogs carefully.
5. Apply to colleges in cities where antiques dealers and auction houses are most plentiful.
6. Pursue an internship at an auction house while you're still in college. This experience may lead to an entry-level job after you graduate.
7. Remember that although a degree in art or art history can give you a solid base, you should also take business courses, especially if you want to open your own antiques shop. In addition, take courses in various types of research, a major responsibility of an antiques dealer.
8. Expect to continue your education on the job for years and to take further courses on appraising.

Tips & Warnings

• Opening an antiques shop requires a large investment. While you are employed elsewhere, maintain an up-to-date list of clients who appreciate your work - they may become your future customers.
• Subscribe to art and antiques magazines to remain current in the field.
• Watch the experts on TV programs such as "Antiques Roadshow."

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