Art Dealer
Buys and sells works of art, acting as the middleman between artists and collectors or galleries.
Overview
An Art Dealer buys and sells works of art. He or she is the middleman between the artists and people or institutions looking to acquire works of art such as art collectors, galleries or museums.
Where they work
- Museums
- Art galleries
- Self-employed
Work environment
It is not a desk job and travelling is a part of this job role. Part-time work and contractual jobs may be available. You will usually work for 5 to 6 days a week and 8 to 9 hours everyday. This may vary from organization to organization. Shift system may be available.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You like to read about art
- You like selling things
- You would like to start your own business
- You are a creative person
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any stream.
- 2Complete Bachelor's in Fine Art/Art History or any related discipline
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's and follow it up with a Master's in the same or related field
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete Bachelor's and then pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Modern or Contemporary Indian Art or similar fields
Alternative route 4
- 1Complete Bachelor's and then pursue a postgraduate course in Marketing and Sales.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The various relevant courses are offered by the Department of Fine Arts. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra
- University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Panjab University, Chandigarh
- Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU), Vadodara, Gujarat
- Sydenham Institute of Management Studies Research and Entrepreneurship Education, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka
- Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab
- Chandigarh University, Chandigarh, Punjab
- National Institute of Medical Sciences University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Amity University, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
- Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Intern/Assistant Art Dealer
- 2Art Dealer
Expected income
₹25,583 per month and more
The card gives a single figure — approximately INR 25,583 and more per month — rather than a range. These figures are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Art Historian
Researches and interprets art across history — curator, teacher, critic or advisor.
Artist
Creates art — painting, sculpting, poetry, music, film — as a mode of personal expression.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Arts, Commerce.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to creating.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Franck Barthelemy — A Bangalore-based French art dealer who started his career with the French Embassy in Bombay in the early 90s. He then joined Exxon-Mobil, and a few years later British Petroleum. He was in Marketing, Trading and Business development in various senior positions. But it was during a sabbatical that he decided to explore the Indian art scene more deeply and then there was no looking back. His company's name is Nogaya Home Deco Private Limited. He has an MBA from the EDHEC Business School, France.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 59 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Industry=Art_Dealer/Salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.