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What does a gallery assistant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

In an art gallery, a gallery assistant is in charge of providing client assistance and administrative support. They typically greet and converse with visitors, discuss materials, answer inquiries, and assist in other services, all while exhibiting a professional and warm attitude. They may also coordinate programs and events, prepare and process documentation, liaise with external parties such as suppliers and distributors, and work together with designers and artists. Furthermore, a gallery assistant must manage the gallery while implementing its policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

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Gallery assistant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real gallery assistant resumes:

  • Manage reputation for search engine optimization, and reputation of website and business as a whole through SEO.
  • Document gallery exhibitions through photographs and Facebook updates.
  • Create content and layout for: brochures, flyers, signage, Powerpoint presentations.
  • Create and operate gallery Facebook page.
  • Document each exhibition and reception with photography.
  • Facilitate multi-year project digitizing and cataloguing decoration in manuscripts (approx.
  • Maintain proper operating functions and maintenance in all analog and digital photography labs and studios.
  • Provide support in gallery installations, packaging and receiving of artwork, customer service, and perform various administrative duties
  • Perform in costumes with band of puppeteers/ performers.
  • Increase website visibility and accessibility to online customers through SEO.
  • Develop editorial calendar and perform online research for editorial.
  • Establish presence as go-to designer by building effective relationships with editorial and marketing teams.

Gallery assistant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 35% of Gallery Assistants are proficient in Artwork, Press Releases, and Front Desk. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Organizational skills, and Writing skills.

We break down the percentage of Gallery Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Artwork, 35%

    Provided support in gallery installations, packaging and receiving of artwork, customer service, and performed various administrative duties

  • Press Releases, 8%

    Assisted with editing/proofreading exhibition documents, including invitations, brochures, press releases, educational panels and catalogs.

  • Front Desk, 5%

    Executed clerical duties Assisted with Preparation of exhibitions Maintained front desk

  • Photography, 5%

    Maintained proper operating functions and maintenance in all analog and digital photography labs and studios.

  • Adobe Photoshop, 4%

    Photographed and edited images of paintings for gallery website using Adobe Photoshop.

  • Gallery Space, 4%

    Implemented the preparation and installation of artworks and gallery spaces for fine art gallery and site-specific exhibitions.

Common skills that a gallery assistant uses to do their job include "artwork," "press releases," and "front desk." You can find details on the most important gallery assistant responsibilities below.

Interpersonal skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a gallery assistant to have is interpersonal skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff." Gallery assistants often use interpersonal skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "assisted with sculpture assembly and installation using interpersonal skills and multi-tasking skills to create a piece of artwork"

Organizational skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling gallery assistant duties is organizational skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently." According to a gallery assistant resume, here's how gallery assistants can utilize organizational skills in their job responsibilities: "aided curators and gallery manager with organizational, marketing, and administrative tasks. "

Writing skills. This is an important skill for gallery assistants to perform their duties. For an example of how gallery assistant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a gallery assistant: "assisted with external communications, social media, grant writing, event planning and coordination and day-to-day operations. ".

All gallery assistant skills

The three companies that hire the most gallery assistants are:

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Compare different gallery assistants

Gallery assistant vs. Sales administrator/administrative assistant

A sales administrator/administrative assistant is responsible for assisting the sales department on its overall operations and strategies to sell goods and services that would increase the company's revenues and profitability. Sales administrator/administrative assistants perform administrative and clerical duties as needed, such as creating and evaluating sales reports, writing business proposals, scheduling meetings, booking events, and researching current market trends to identify business opportunities. They must have excellent customer service and communication skills, managing customers' inquiries and concerns, processing orders and payments, and ensuring customer satisfaction.

If we compare the average gallery assistant annual salary with that of a sales administrator/administrative assistant, we find that sales administrator/administrative assistants typically earn a $1,377 higher salary than gallery assistants make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both gallery assistant and sales administrator/administrative assistant positions are skilled in front desk, administrative tasks, and event planning.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a gallery assistant are more likely to require skills like "artwork," "press releases," "photography," and "adobe photoshop." On the other hand, a job as a sales administrator/administrative assistant requires skills like "reservations," "word processing," "data entry," and "phone calls." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Sales administrator/administrative assistants really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $38,086. Comparatively, gallery assistants tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $39,418.sales administrator/administrative assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than gallery assistants. In fact, sales administrator/administrative assistants are 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Gallery assistant vs. Front desk administrative assistant

A front desk administrative assistant is responsible for performing administrative duties to support daily business functions and operations. Front desk administrative assistants assist guests, respond to their inquiries and concerns, and direct them to the appropriate personnel for their needs. They also monitor office inventories, write purchase requests, and distribute mails across the departments. A front desk administrative assistants review business and financial transactions to generate reports, update information on the company's database, and sort documents for reference.

A career as a front desk administrative assistant brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a gallery assistant. In fact, front desk administrative assistants salary is $2,028 lower than the salary of gallery assistants per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Gallery assistants and front desk administrative assistants both require similar skills like "administrative tasks," "greeting visitors," and "powerpoint" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real gallery assistant resumes. While gallery assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "artwork," "press releases," "front desk," and "photography," front desk administrative assistants use skills like "customer service," "patients," "data entry," and "phone calls."

On average, front desk administrative assistants earn a lower salary than gallery assistants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, front desk administrative assistants earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $34,812. Whereas gallery assistants have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $39,418.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Front desk administrative assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than gallery assistants. In fact, they're 4.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Gallery assistant vs. Administrative assistant/technical

An administrative assistant/technical is primarily responsible for performing clerical and support tasks in a company, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. They must produce progress reports, process documentation, receive communication letters, manage schedules, and even greet visitors. There are also instances when an administrative assistant/technical has to answer calls and correspondence, respond to inquiries, address issues and concerns, and resolve them promptly and professionally. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain records of all transactions, coordinate with different departments, and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.

On average, administrative assistant/technicals earn higher salaries than gallery assistants, with a $7,476 difference per year.By looking over several gallery assistants and administrative assistant/technicals resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "front desk," "administrative tasks," and "event planning." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from gallery assistant resumes include skills like "artwork," "press releases," "photography," and "adobe photoshop," whereas an administrative assistant/technical is more likely to list skills in "patients," "data entry," "travel arrangements," and "access database. "

Administrative assistant/technicals earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $42,925. Gallery assistants earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $39,418.administrative assistant/technicals typically earn similar educational levels compared to gallery assistants. Specifically, they're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Gallery assistant vs. Administrative assistant/scheduler

Administrative assistants/schedulers schedule company appointments and meetings, answer phone calls, and forward them to relevant staff members. They take meeting minutes and notes, order and take office supplies stock, and prepare documents for business trips and meetings. Besides finding methods to enhance administrative processes, administrative assistants/schedulers also help senior staff or other teams to write and issue emails to team members and company departments. Moreover, these professionals research and book the staff's travel arrangements.

Administrative assistant/schedulers average a higher salary than the annual salary of gallery assistants. The difference is about $2,959 per year.While their salaries may vary, gallery assistants and administrative assistant/schedulers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "front desk," "administrative tasks," and "powerpoint. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between gallery assistants and administrative assistant/schedulers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a gallery assistant might have more use for skills like "artwork," "press releases," "photography," and "adobe photoshop." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of administrative assistant/schedulers require skills like "customer service," "patients," "hr," and "data entry. "

In general, administrative assistant/schedulers earn the most working in the construction industry, with an average salary of $39,696. The highest-paying industry for a gallery assistant is the education industry.The average resume of administrative assistant/schedulers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to gallery assistants. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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