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So you want to give art technical work a go and you want to know how to get into it?
Well, that’s a good question which I can only answer through my experiences, so here we go.
I didn’t really know what the role of art technician was so I wanted to find out how to get in and what I could do within the industry with my transferable skills of tool lover and craft maker with an interest in art and artefacts.
I looked up institutions and businesses online that I thought were interesting and I would like to know more about or potentially work at. So I did some research online, looking at the contacts page of their websites or finding people on LinkedIn and I cold-called/emailed them. I asked if I could come and talk to them to see what they do for a job as I was interested in getting into the industry.
Most people didn’t respond but a couple did so I went and met them, they gave me tours of their work environments and told me more about what they did in their roles. I would then tentatively ask how they would recommend I got into the industry and what they could suggest for me to do. They always said to find training to see if it was for me or find a job that will train you - advice I also now give.
Apprenticeships are great for this, and they are starting to be offered more and are advertised online in various places such as Indeed, Arts Council Jobs and ArtTechSpace - of course. It was then through one of these cold call meetings that I was later invited to apply for an apprenticeship there, go it and that’s how it all started for me.
But also I volunteered a lot before I got my apprenticeship. I do not condone giving your labour away for free but it was a good way for me to get my foot in the door at various institutions. For me, it was a good way to work out if this was the right work for me and introduced me to a lot of people who helped me along the way and gave me paid work elsewhere.
When I moved countries I wanted to work in this industry as it had been my work for a couple of years previously but I found it really hard to get into the industry and that was the main reason I started ArtTechSpace. I had a contract for a year but had visa issues and only a logistics company would hire me. Those were 3 of the hardest years I have ever worked in my life and broke me a little mentally and physically but boy did I learn ALOT! Working for an Art logistics company is the easiest way to get into the industry as they are always looking for people who are willing to work hard and are an excellent training ground for a really broad knowledge base of technical knowledge. But it's really hard work.
Otherwise - it is who you know. Cronyism is rife in this industry and it pays not to be too proud to ask for help - ask people who you met at an opening if you can be put in contact with their technical manager, ask to work on an artist friend’s next install, ask if you could work in the gallery in any way if they need help - you get the idea, ask around, you never know who might be able to get you that foot in the door. But don’t be a creep about it - be nice and polite and gracious.
Have your CV concise and tailored towards art technical work. We see a lot of CV’s and we know what makes a good one - concise, relevant experiences & licenses only, 2 pages ABSOLUTELY MAXIMUM! Get someone from a technical background to check it for you first if you can.
So in short how to get into working in the industry:
Do some research to work out what you are interested in and who to contact
Get involved in training
Network: make new connections and hit up old ones
Work at places that take on people new to the industry such as art logistics companies or those offering apprenticeships
Have a relevant art technical CV
Whether you're diving headfirst into training programs, having coffee dates with industry insiders, or getting your hands dirty at art logistics companies, just remember: the path to success is rarely a straight line. Embrace the twists and turns and learn from every experience. Good luck out there.
I luckily got my first break into the art world by successful application for a technician job at a major UK national museum so keep on submitting those applications - one of yours will get lucky ! Full object handling and installation training was given there ; and I was first to hear about my next career opportunity arising.
As stated above, also apply fine art logistics companies in your area (some only take on full timers, others keep a `bank' of freelancers employed to deploy when they get busy during art fairs etc. In 2024, very many of them are crying out for new technicians who may be initially deployed into roles as van/truck drivers, drivers mates, warehouse operatives, crate makers, site technicians etc. They too will provide training and are generally as interested in your personal attributes : inquisitiveness, sensible manual handling skills, good team working, presentable to clients, quick to learn and share ideas in a constructive way etc. The skills you learn there will equip you very well in any career path towards working in commercial galleries, institutions and in a host of international locations etc.
Once you feel more confident about the basic technical functions, consider freelance working for small/mid sized museums and galleries who probably only employ freelance technicians (particularly those within 100 miles of where you live e.g. commutable distance). The gig nature of such employments looks great on your CV and demonstrates you wider outlook. The hourly rates are also usually above average so you can consider basing yourself in a B&B nearby for the 2-3 weeks duration of any exhibition turnaround. And you will learn a lot more about exhibition staging (wall build, precision painting, AV set up etc.) than you probably would in any of the above mentioned contexts. Also, the other freelance techs tend to be very friendly and happy to share knowledge, contacts, information and future opportunities with you. Good luck!