How to Become a Fine Art Appraiser

While there is no single, tried-and-true path to follow if you want to become a fine art appraiser, most people who end up in this interesting and potentially high-paying line of work did so through years of dedicated study. It's a rewarding career, but be warned: it takes years and years to develop the skills necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree in art history or a related field

Instructions

1. Attend college, and get at least a bachelor's degree in fine art, art history or a closely related field.

2. Work in an art museum upon completion of your degree. The larger and more prestigious the museum, the more seriously you'll be taken when you branch out into the world of art appraisal. It's a good idea to spend your post-college years building your resume by working your way up in the museum world.

3. Consider other paths you can take to become a fine art appraiser. Outside the museum circuit, you can gain the knowledge and experience required by working as an art restorer, taking a position with an art dealer or by working in the art insurance business.

4. Learn by working hands-on with pieces of fine art. Experts point out that the skills a fine art appraiser needs are gained by handling, cleaning, restoring, buying and selling fine art over long periods of time. Employment in a well-established art auction house is another excellent way to attain the necessary experience.

5. Buy and read as many books on the subject as you can get your hands on. Purchase not only books about fine art appraisal, but also comprehensive art history guides to various forms of fine art (painting, sculpture, drawings). Since there are no government-outlined requirements that need to be met in order for you to become a fine art appraiser, your reputation is staked solely on what you know and how well you know it.

6. Intern with an established fine art appraiser once you have attained a comprehensive level of knowledge. This is a necessary step to make the contacts needed to build your own network of clients, as well as to hone your appraisal and business skills.

7. Expect to work part time as an art appraiser. Full-time art appraisers are extremely rare, even in large cities with well-established art communities.

8. Find work as an art appraiser with museums, galleries, auction houses and on a consultant basis with independent collectors.

Tips & Warnings

• Check directly with professional fine art appraising boards for more resources and information. The International Society of Appraisers and the American Society of Appraisers are two important and well-known organizations dedicated to the profession (see Resources below).

Resources

• International Society of Appraisers (ISA) homepage
• More info at the American Society of Appraisers (ASA)