Cover image: A bright floral encaustic painting by Embrace Creatives artist, Birgit Hutteman-Hotz
Hiring an expert art consultant to navigate the changing art market is essential. We know that collectors who utilize an art consultant experience less stress, better artwork pricing and are introduced to artworks they would have a difficult time finding on their own.
Andrea Bogart, founder and lead art consultant at Embrace Creatives explains, “My goal is to expand the idea of what art can be while also catering to our clients aesthetics and budget.” As an experienced, full-service art consulting firm, Embrace Creatives easily guides private collectors, interior designers, and business owners through the intricate process of discovering and securing the best artwork and objects for their residence or office space.
To help you understand what to expect when working with an art consultant, we’ll share the questions and concerns we hear most.
An earthy and moving triptych by Embrace Creatives artist, Erika Hillfeld
What does an art consultant do?
Art consultants are experts who curate art collections for private clients, interior designers, corporations and hospitality projects. Art consultants specialize in finding and/or commissioning art for specific projects, both private and public, focusing on immediate needs and project objectives using working artists and design studios
Once the final artworks are agreed upon, the art consultants communicates with the artists to secure the chosen pieces, schedule payments, shipping and installation. Art consultants put the client’s mind at ease offer turnkey art consultancy services, including printing, framing, and scheduleing plus supervision of the installation. This creative project management requires technical and curatorial skillsets that neither the artist nor the client possess
Red Squiggle by Embrace Creatives industrial and furniture designer, Erika Cross installed at the Baker College, Royal Oak, MI campus.
Why hire an art consultant?
Art consultants have extensive knowledge of the art market and strong connections with a growing list of contemporary artists giving their clients a rich vision of what their art projects can become. They have access to thousands of available works and can commission custom, bespoke pieces that may better fit a client’s aesthetic or space requirements.
Art consultancy services are crucial for large projects because many may have a curatorial background giving them the ability to speak a similar language as a spacial designer.
In addition to sourcing, art consultants are master project managers, expertly staying in charge of logistics like shipping, plus printing, framing and installation. For substantial projects like corporate or hotel art projects, working with a full-service firm will include a comprehensive art package, eliminating the need to hire multiple specialists. Working with an experienced consultant to oversee every aspect of the art portion of a project gives you a hassle-free experience.
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What can you expect?
While clients may arrive with initial ideas, the art consultant’s role is to refine concepts, introduce clients to fresh possibilities and curate a diverse array of artwork options. As the project evolves from the initial meeting and concepts to proposals, and discussions then ultimately installation, the consultant assumes the role of project manager, ensuring the client receives a trustworthy and professional experience.
Four Step Process
Step 1: Listening. After initial discussions to truly understand the client and their project, a top consultant will gather artwork ideas and build an introductory proposal. At Embrace Creatives we relish this initial discovery phase as the first introduction to our outstanding customer care process. After sharing their initial proposal, the client chooses the ideas, styles, and artworks they like best and tell the consultant what they don’t like, which is also important.
Step 2: Armed with this feedback, art consultants refine the choices then develop a site-specific proposal to show how the artwork will fit inside the project scope. Clients offer feedback and make the final decision but are freed from spending hours and hours down the rabbit hole we call the internet searching for QUALITY fine art that will arrive undamaged and be exactly what they expect. Embrace Creatives understands what makes quality art and will secure the best artwork on time and on budget.
At Embrace Creatives, the installation process is just as fun and exciting as picking the artwork!
Step 3: After the client has chosen the artwork, the art consultant begins securing the pieces for delivery. If a custom artwork is needed, the consultant completely understands and manages the complex commission process, and communicates with the artist during the entire creation process making sure it meets their client’s needs and expectations. The consultant can request that the artist provides samples, sketches or designs showing the client a smaller version of the finished product. The art consultant streamlines the custom artwork process and allows the client to breathe easy and concentrate on other matters.
Step 4: Finally, a turnkey art consultancy firm will manage every stage of the art procurement process. They will arrange secure and timely shipping and secure insurance. Due to their expert art world knowledge, the art consultant will also wok with a reputable frame shop to develop custom frames, as well as determining which matting and glass type fit the artwork and its final location. The art consultant will ensure that the artwork is installed properly and beautifully presented.
Engaging a reputable art consultant guarantees clients a comprehensive art package tailored to their project, meticulously addressing every stage of the process. The outcome is a world-class artwork or collection of pieces, competitively priced and perfectly answering the unique demands of the project.
A dramatic and organic oversized oil painting by Embrace Creatives artist, Annette Poitau
Helping you understand the art market
Many people, even interior designers and architects may not be well versed in fine arts and simply do not have the time (or the desire) to keep abreast of new art trends, emerging artists or the art market’s ups and downs that affect pricing.
It’s the job of an art consultant to “live” in the art world and know what’s happening locally and nationally. An art consultant will have personal relationships with industry leaders and can set up private tours of galleries, art fairs, and artist studio tours in order to introduce their clients to extensive samplings of artwork. Embrace Creatives founder and lead art advisor, Andrea Bogart relishes educating her clients in many aspects of the fine art market so they come away more confident and understand the products and process.
When you’re starting an art project, instead of trying to navigate all of the stakeholders yourself, get the help of a trusted art expert that knows the art world inside and out to save you time and keep your stress level down.
What do art consultants charge?
An art consultants pricing structure is determined by the quantity of artworks being purchased and the project type. Sometimes a consultant will charge a flat project fee, sometimes an hourly rate, and sometimes they will charge a percentage of the artwork’s retail value.
When commissioning a single, made-to-order artwork a consultant’s fee falls within 5-15% of the artwork’s value, depending on the specific project requirements, ie: how much work the consultant needs to do to manage ideation, samples, edits, artwork production, delivery, installment payments, and artwork installation.
If the project is small and or if it contains a lot of moving parts or expected edits, the art consultant may charge an hourly rate and require a retainer to begin the process. The client will see their cost per hour and for a small scopes, this can be a cost-effective way to work with a consultant.
For extensive projects that require a long-term commitment, the fee structure is often presented as a comprehensive package and will cover everything; art consultancy fees for their turnkee services; and artwork costs. This type of pricing structure will involve a set amount of meeting hours and a limitation on revisions. Then there are combination fee structures that some consultants use. Those include an hourly rate for services plus a markup on all artwork purchased on the client’s behalf.
Consultants may ask for a 10-20% deposit to secure their services. This deposit is used towards the project fees. The percentage is based upon the project budget.
No matter the fee type, the client and art consultant collaboratively determine the project’s scope which can include the total number artworks and objects, where they will be installed, and the specific services the consultant will provide – and what they won’t provide. The art consultant will keep your budget in mind when setting up the financial overview but remember, shipping, sales tax, fine art printing, framing, travel time, any sales tax and installation will take up a portion of the budget so prepare accordingly.
Hiring an art consultancy firm actually saves money! Why? Because consultants save you time which saves you money. How? Art consultants bring a wealth of experience to their projects enabling them to source high-quality artworks within budget and easily managing all aspects of the project using trained and reliable vendors. Plus, with a large network of artists, the consultant uses their personal relationships to ensure that each artwork purchased is high quality and delivered safely. An art consultants knowledge of fine art project management prevents costly modifications or potential damage that might arise without their expertise and relationships.
And don’t forget that an art consultant has a bevy of vendors to choose from. Their large network allows them to get their clients the best price without compromising on quality.
Ultimately, the fees charged by an art consultant are tailored to the unique requirements of each project they take on.
To kickstart the collaboration, Embrace Creatives offers an initial consultation at no cost. During this first meeting (and throughout the project) we listen and learn then explain how Embrace Creatives can become your valued art partner. Contact Andrea Bogart, founder and lead art consultant at Embrace Creatives for your free consultation or to schedule a presentation at your firm or office!
Embrace Creatives artist rendering for a commercial project opportunity.
How do you find a reputable art consultant?
It can be difficult to find an art consultant or firm because there are mot many of us and we are not as well known as interior design or architecture firms. And even though an art consultant will be involved in big projects, they are rarely included in articles or listed as a contributor. The best place to find art consultants is the way we find everything nowadays, online.
When researching, look at the consultancy firm’s aesthetics and past projects. This will give you an idea if they can meet your artwork needs. After you get a list together, contact them beginning the communication and establishing a good fit. Even if the firm is not right for your current project, they may be just what you need for the next one!
Make sure you have ready your project details, timeline and budget and see if they offer free consultations. Here at Embrace Creatives, our founder and lead art advisor, Andrea Bogart prides herself on building transparent and strong relationships and will happily schedule an industry lunch and learn or virtual consultation. Whether you’re a private client, a corporate entity or interior design or architecture firm, reach out to Andrea today!
Set yourself up for success
So far we gave you information on what to look for and how to work with art consultants. Now let’s talk about what NOT to do.
Not Preparing Your Likes/Dislikes: If you do not know what type of artwork you like and do NOT like, it will take much more time for the expert consultant and you to work that out – and that could be costly. If you know what type of artwork style suits. you, make sure that the consultant you hire has relevant expertise in that area.
Not Having a Clear Project Scope: Not everyone knows exactly what they want from the beginning. YOu may have an idea, an inkling, but need expert guidance to get you to the finish line. That’s okay! Just know that if you begin working with an art consultant and have nothing on your walls, it will take longer to develop an art style with them. No matter whether you’re in an exploratory stage or you have plans from your interior designer, make sure to express your ideas clearly. Photo references are ideal – we’re visual experts, you know. And to stay on the same page, commit to open and ongoing discussions with your art consultant so there are few to no surprises.
Keeping Your Choices Too Limited: You’re hiring an art consultant for many reasons and one is their vast expanse of artwork options. Allow them to show you alternative options and be honest about your likes and dislikes. You won’t hurt their feelings. Their job is to align your desires with their artworks.
Innovative lights crafted from special paper using interlocking tabs without adhesives or fasteners by Embrace Creatives artist, Wil Natzel
How We Work
Curating Art + Objects
For each art consultancy project, we listen intently, evaluate the space and with you or you and your client, identify key opportunities for amazing art. Through in-depth art market research, we source from professional and reliable artists to develop a detailed proposal based on your client’s project needs and budget.
Using our growing Embrace Creatives online art gallery that showcase thousands of works by artists we have a relationship with, we source wall, floor and ceiling artworks to suit your projects. If more options are needed, we will reach into out extensive database of non-EC artists.
Our selection of artworks ranges in mediums and techniques, and will often be from hand-picked, emerging or mid-career artists. Before we can choose art options, we will work with our clients to determine the locations for potential artworks and then build a detailed and professional presentation for you to show your client.. This allows you see how the art will work within the broader project scope.
Custom Artworks
When the project calls for custom bespoke artwork as opposed to ready-made we dive in ensuring that the project runs smoothly and enhances the design project. Embrace Creatives are experts in art commissioning, project management, finding solutions instead of offering excuses, and developing a tailor-made art package.
Installation & Logistics
To make your job easier, we oversee any printing or framing needs and schedule art shipments/deliveries and installation – providing end-to-end project management. Don’t worry about large-scale art installation either. Because we only use professional and experiences artists and vendors, we make sure the installations comply with safety standards. Embrace Creatives is proud to offer a trustworthy constulting experience that allows you to focus your time on your own business and clients.
Artwork we offer
Oversized geometric painting with hints of Latin American warmth by Embrace Creatives artist, Rey Alfonso.
3D PRINTED WALLS, TABLETOPS, TILES AND CORPORATE LIGHTING – custom projects
Embrace Creatives is an online art gallery representing over 150 American artists plus we’re a full-service art consulting firm whose mission is to expand the idea of what art can be. Founder, Andrea Bogart hand-picks each artist and design studio making sure they rise to her high business standards.
Embrace Creatives are public and corporate consultants, hospitality and hospital art consultants – plus we work on private, residential projects. Learn more about Embrace Creatives and how we make your job easier: Interior Designers & Architects; Hotels; Corporate.
Discover new artworks in our online gallery!