Artists are experts in creating their work, but we often need help in navigating all the other aspects of having a creative business. That’s why artist consultants exist!

This has turned into a big business for art world professionals in the last 20 years. Artist consultants are experts who give advice and guidance on creative projects. Think branding, marketing, graphic design, and content creation. For artists this also includes aspects of your creative business like writing artist statements, navigating gallery relationships, website reviews, etc.

Artist consultants charge anywhere from $50 per hour to over $500 per session. They can really help artists up their game, lending valuable experience and ideas on how to grow you’re career. But with such a range in costs, it's important to choose the right consultant.

A great consultant can help you achieve your goals, like creating a unique brand identity or crafting content that your audience loves. But if you pick the wrong consultant, it could be a total waste of time, money, and effort, and could even derail your career growth.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONSULTANT

STEP 1 : IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS

Every project is different, and creative consultants specialize in different areas. If you don't know what you need, you may hire the wrong person for the job. If you don’t know what you need you won’t know what to ask the right person.

Identify where you are as an artist and where you would like to be. Creative consultants come in all shapes and sizes, and specialize in different areas. Some specialize in fine arts, some are great at studio critique, while others focus on networking or business development.

PR, branding, and marketing consultants can help you better express your unique identity and develop effective marketing strategies to promote yourself. Social media consultants help in connecting to audiences and increasing your online presence.

But how do we find the right artist consultant for your project?

STEP 2 : RESEARCH Your Consultant

Researching potential creative consultants is critical to finding the right one for your project. Here are a few tips for researching creative consultants:

1. Look at their portfolio: Check out the consultant's portfolio to get a sense of their style and the quality of their work.

2. Read client testimonials: Read what previous clients have said about the consultant's work. This can give you a good idea of their communication skills, professionalism, and ability to deliver results.

3. Check their online presence: Check the consultant's website and social media profiles to get a sense of their online presence and how they promote their own work.

By taking the time to research potential consultants, you can find one who is the right fit for your project and has a proven track record of success.

STEP 3: LOOK AT THEIR EXPERIENCE

A consultant's experience can have a significant impact on the success of your project. Looking at the consultant’s CV and resume can help determine if they have experience in the field you need advice on.

• Experienced consultants have likely worked on projects similar to yours, giving them a better understanding of what works and what doesn't.

• They have likely encountered and overcome various challenges during their career, which means they can provide valuable insights and offer solutions to potential roadblocks.

• Experienced consultants help streamline the process and improve efficiency, resulting in a more effective and successful outcome.

• Many consultants have established networks and connections within their industry, which can be beneficial when promoting your project or seeking out opportunities. Make sure to communicate if this is a resource you are looking for.

STEP 3 : COMMUNICATION EVALUATION

When evaluating a potential consultant it’s important to look at their communication style. Here are some ways to evaluate these qualities:

• Check the consultant's response time to your initial inquiry and follow-up questions.

• Observe how they ask questions and listen to your needs.

• Ask for clarification on their process and how they plan to achieve your project goals.

• Evaluate their ability to present and explain their ideas clearly and concisely.

• Look for a consultant who is open to feedback and willing to work collaboratively.

NOTE: One green flag is when a consultant asks you to come prepared to a meeting. Do they have a way of preparing their clients to get the most out of the session or will they be flying by the seat of their pants and potentially wasting your time and money.

STEP 4: DISCUSS THE PROCESS

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices it’s important to ask potential consultants about their process.

• A well-defined process ensures that the consultant is organized, efficient, and has a clear understanding of the project goals.

• Understanding their process can help you to manage your expectations and provide the necessary feedback at the appropriate time.

• By knowing what to expect, you can stay informed throughout the project and ensure that everything is on track.

• If there are any issues, a defined process allows for easier troubleshooting and problem-solving.

  STEP 5 : DETERMINE THE COST

  Good consultants should be up-front about their prices. When hiring a creative consultant, it's important to focus on the value you'll receive rather than just the cost. But it’s important to understand what it will cost and build yourself a budget. Many consultants have prices listed on their websites. This is a preferable model.

• A consultant who charges more may deliver better quality work and provide more value for your money.

• On the other hand, some consultants are more expensive because they are better at marketing.

  NOTE: RED FLAG - is your consultant’s presence on social media always pitching their services? That might account they’re extravagant cost. I prefer my consultants to have a mix of practice, current real-world experience, and consulting business.

• A consultant who can provide additional value, such as industry connections or experience working in your niche, may be worth paying extra for. Be cautious here, industry connections are a highly valuable resource and most consultants will not share these lightly.

• Most importantly set a budget! By setting a budget and finding a consultant who can work within your budget while still delivering high-quality work, you can ensure that you receive the best value for your investment.

  CONSULTANTS AVERAGE COSTS: A contemporary art consultant can vary in price and depending on the consultant’s level of expertise, years of experience, location, or the scope of the project. Many contemporary art consultants charge an hourly rate that can range anywhere from $50 to $500 per hour. Most career development consultants charge around $100 to $150. Some pro-bono services will charge less. There are also high-end art consultants whose jobs are basically to broker deals and facilitate introductions to gatekeepers. These sometimes charge per project with fees ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.

AFFORDABLE OR FREE ARTIST CONSULTANT SERVICES:

Upward Associates who offer a free consulting session.
GY$T : offers consulting for $50 per session
NYFA Consulting - consulting from $40 - $80 per session
Creative Lattice - shameless plug. We also offer low cost free consulting for $50 per session.

MORE EXPENSIVE CONSULTANTS

Ninth Street Collective: offers private consultancy and workshops.
Corrinna Peipon : offers private workshops on holistic sustainable art practices
KB Strategies : offers high end artist career consultancy.
Paddy Johnson: offers hourly art consultancy.
The Artist Advisory : hourly and class like consultancy.

CONCLUSION

We learned that choosing the right creative consultant can help you achieve the best results for your project. An artist consultant is an expert providing guidance and advice for various creative projects, such as branding, marketing, graphic design, and content creation, among others.

We discussed the importance of identifying your specific needs, researching and evaluating potential consultants, assessing their communication skills, considering their experience, discussing their process, and determining their cost.

We encouraged readers to do their research, speak with references, and set a budget when choosing the right consultant. By following these tips, readers can find a creative consultant who can provide value and help them achieve their goals effectively.