Fine Art Commissions was established in 1997. We are the leading independent commissioning gallery in the UK. The company is based in Ryder Street, St James’s and also in the village of Ham, a few miles from Hungerford.
The information below covers the role requirements, expected candidate experience, and accompanying qualifications.
Both galleries showcase examples of portraits in order for our clients to be able to view the variety of styles before selecting an artist. Our role is honest broker between the artist and the client, and we ensure that the commissioning process runs smoothly until the artwork is in its’ final position.
We concentrate on one or two exhibitions/art fairs per year rather than a constant stream of exhibitions, which would limit our hanging space to showcase stock. The current team consists of the Director and Founder, Sara Stewart, an Associate Director, a part time Gallery Assistant in London, a part time Gallery Manager in Ham. The Associate Director is leaving on 31st October.
GALLERY MANAGER
We are recruiting a highly organised Gallery Manager who will be responsible for a wide range of administrative and creative duties. The ideal candidate will have at least two/three years’ experience of working in a commercial gallery and will be as enthusiastic about administration as art as well as a keen eye for design to potentially explore other strands to the business. Fine Art Commissions differs from other galleries in that the core business is a portrait agency. The Manager co-ordinates the commissions, which involves creating bespoke portfolios, co-ordination between artist and client, organisation of framing and delivery and invoicing (alongside the Director). The role is based onsite with occasional days spent at the Ham Gallery and also studio visits.
Responsibilities
Presentation of the Gallery including re-hanging
Sales alongside (and independent of) the Director
Ideas for exhibitions, marketing, growth
Organisation of commissions and logistics
Organisation/implementation of updates to Stock, Website, Social Media, Database and XERO, insurance and management of artworks
Co-ordination with Gallery Manager at Ham re: exhibitions/stock/commissions
Candidate Requirements
Ability to work as part of a team and independently
Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
A hands on and practical individual
Three years’ experience in a commercial gallery
A graduate in History of Art or English useful, but not essential, as this is a role where a proven track record in administration within a gallery environment is more important.
Highly computer literate (Outlook, Word, Excel, Adobe). Ability to learn and master bespoke database and accounting software.
Terms of Employment
Monday-Friday 10.00am – 6pm. Onsite or visits to artists’ studios and the Ham Gallery. This is not a ‘working from home’ role.
Holiday entitlement: 28 days including public holidays (1 January – 31 December). Both galleries are closed for two weeks over Christmas/New Year and the last week of August. 10 days of holiday entitlement to be taken when gallery is closed either in August or December/January (includes 3 days of public holiday entitlement).
Four month probation period
Three calendar months’ notice period (after end of probation period)
Start date is mid October 2025.
To apply, please email a brief cover email outlining your suitability/experience and cv to: sara@fineartcommissions.com.