Gallery Direction, or arts management, encompasses the organization and management of a gallery collection.Since they work in art galleries, it is no surprise that gallery directors are in charge of handling art work and planning art exhibits.However, gallery directors also promote collections, handle publicity, manage sales staff, and build clientele.Often responsible for the budget, gallery directors create annual budgets and write grant proposals.The development of a strategic plan is also under the auspices of the gallery director.The focus for gallery directors, as opposed to curators, is promotion and sales.As a result, gallery directors must be as well versed in business and marketing as they are in art.

Another component of gallery direction is advocacy.Many gallery directors lobby state and federal governments on behalf of arts organizations.In this and other duties gallery directors must have understanding of the laws and regulations that apply to their gallery.

Unlike museum curators, who generally have advanced degrees in academic field such as art history and archeology, gallery directors often move into the arts from retail management and other business positions.

Education

In addition to a background in the arts, Arts Management degree programs provide students with administrative, managerial, and leadership skills.Students generally take a variety of arts courses including art history, archeology, art criticism, fine art, and craft art.Art management business courses span finance, management, nonprofit organizations, economics, and communication.

In fields such as gallery direction, it often suggested that in addition to a degree program students gain experience through internships or volunteer positions with art galleries and museums.

Colleges and Universities

Prospective gallery directors can earn a Certificate, Bachelors, or Master’s of Art in Arts Management from a variety of colleges across the nation.Online Arts Management degree programs give students the flexibility to earn a degree and gain experience working at a gallery simultaneously.Arts Management or related degrees can be earned online at Strayer University, and the University of Maryland University College.

Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland has developed the first distance education degree in Arts Administration.Their Master of Arts in Art Administration (MAAA) gives students around the world access to Goucher’s distinguished faculty and well-developed curriculum.