How to become An Art Buyer

• Specialist Image-Maker

What do Art Buyers do?

An Art Buyer would typically need to:

• Play a vital role in the selection of artwork used in advertisements
• Have ready access to a set of established buyers, artists, and artists’ representatives while scouting new talent
• Solicit artwork directly from established artists or artists’ representatives while researching new talent or sourcing third parties to purchase their content, film, or static imagery
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external production teams, clients, and vendors to produce integrated, multi-media shoots, and achieve strategic and brand-specific goals
• Coordinate pre-production estimates, negotiations and purchases artwork while managing version control of all raw and final images
• Work closely with the creative team to source photographers, illustrators, CGI/3D artists, and stock photography for the ad campaigns
• Negotiate cost and timing with the artist’s representative for the best product within the budget
• Handle initial contracts and renewal negotiations with all stock vendors
• Check supplier, creative team, and client availability for production and approvals, to generate timings and monitor progress
• Manage internal and client sign-offs on usage rights, talent agreements, copyright licensing terms, POs, invoices, and releases
• Negotiate rates and rights, generate internal estimates, and purchase orders
• Keep the project manager informed on the progress of projects in production and monitor budget utilization to ensure profitability
• Create, circulate, and gain internal and external approvals of briefs, call sheets, and associated administrative documents
• Maintain strong relationships with stock photo agencies, photographers, illustrators, and artist agents
• Ensure the creatives are up to date on current techniques, quality standards, productions, exhibitions, and Art-related awards
• Perform photo research, scout for locations, arrange for travel, and manage multiple crews in multiple locations
• Assist the Digital Asset Management (DAM) Librarian in administering the DAM system for storage and tracking of all media assets

An Art Buyer would spend the workday in meetings at the office or a client’s place or on location for a shoot. Traveling to meetings with clients or vendors is common. Business casual would be the dress code usually recommended for an Art Buyer, although it would depend on the location, sector, size, and type of company they belong to.

For the most part, an Art Buyer’s work schedule is a regular, albeit hectic, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. routine unless there are deadlines to meet.

Art Buyers can partner with others in the business to handle projects or business. Art Buyers can also work freelance on long and short term contracts.

Art Buyers are generally employed by:

• Agencies
• Corporate Entities

Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for Art Buyers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as an Art Buyer.

• Keeping budgeting at an optimum level where the artist is not discouraged and the client is satisfied
• Scouting for and locating vendors and reps while keeping on top of communication with creatives and clients
• Ability to stay equally focused on multiple projects with an increasing shift in focus from photography and Art to the moving image
• Keeping all players in the team - creatives as well as clients - engaged
• Failure to keep paperwork in order could cost the agency a considerable sum of money

Experience working in fast-paced creative office environments, in collaborating with creative teams, on high-volume integrated and print campaigns, as well as DAM (Digital Asset Management) and DAM tools, would prove invaluable in the job market.

A bachelor’s degree in digital arts or photography is recommended. Coursework in Art history, contemporary art, or photography is helpful. In some countries, an undergraduate degree in any subject and an aptitude for understanding business are sufficient to become an Art Buyer. Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat would come in handy.

Voluntary certification from an objective and reputed organization demonstrates competency in a skill or set of skills, typically through work experience, training, the passage of an examination, or some combination of the three. Certification can help you stand out in a competitive job market, give you a leg up for raises and promotions, and help you become an independent consultant.

Artist Buyers need to be aware of the need for artist licensing agreements to be settled on, in writing, with the artists from whom they buy any images, graphics, digital assets, or digital images (together known as images).

An image license is a contract between the licensor and the licensee. It regulates the licensee’s scope, types, and limitations of usage rights concerning the creative work rightfully owned by the licensor who usually charges a licensing fee. Images may also contain copyright management information (CMI) at the artist’s discretion.

The Art Buyer field is small; word travels fast about a person’s character. Art Buyers who are professional, ethical, and treat artists fairly will have access to a wide range of Art. The best way to gauge advancement in the field is the quantity and quality of work that comes your way. Much of a freelancing Art Buyer’s work comes from referrals. So, the Art Buyer has a lot riding on the relationship and reputation they build with the vendor and the client.

In the current environment of streamlining resources, many agencies have moved away from hiring traditional Art Buyers. Many specialists have been replaced by multi-skilled producers taking shape as creative/integrated producers who oversee multi-discipline projects, including project management, Art Buying, moving image, and digital production.

Art Buyers who work for an agency or a corporate employer would find themselves promoted to the dual role of Art Buyer/Art Producer with due diligence and success in roping in and sustaining large accounts with a cost-effective, time-efficient handoff of information.

Art Buyers can advance to more senior positions in the creative department as well. If they have been on staff, they can move on to freelance, open their Art Buying firms, network in areas of art that are open to them, and explore unique and interesting advertising projects.

Candidates with the requisite expertise and experience have the best job prospects.

An Art Buyer who has expertise in aspects such as sourcing locations, local crew, and equipment would be able to take on the role of an Art Producer in addition to their work of navigating the agency, as well as the corporate and client worlds. Today an Art Buyer needs a solid grounding in production to see the project produced through the line.

Depending on the project and the Art Buyer’s workload, it can be cost-effective and time-efficient to have the expertise of an Art Producer. More agencies are relying on Art Buyers to create efficiency by managing both roles.

Essential Areas of Knowledge for Art Buyers Seeking Progression

Art Buyers with an eye on the next level up the career ladder would do well to acquire concise knowledge in certain vital areas. These include the technology, file formats, processes, and techniques used to produce moving and static images.

Art Buyers must have knowledge of leading photographers, content and image libraries, moving image and film companies, post-production houses, storage options, and turnaround times in the market. Knowledge of typical rates for production, post-production, and image supply/storage is useful.

Art Buyers must be thorough with the guidelines of any relevant associations of photographers on usage rights and negotiating payment terms. They must be well-versed with integrated campaign media and deliverables, including press ads, emails, banners, web pages, posters, TV, and other printed literature that might require space filled with assets. They must also be conversant with the functions of different departments within an agency.

Where Does an Art Buyer’s Expertise Lie?

An Art Buyer doesn’t buy fine art. It's a job title found in advertising agencies. An expert Art Buyer produces commercial advertising projects while maintaining creative integrity within a budget - to create the best value for the end client.

An Art Buyer doesn't need an artistic background. A good eye, an understanding of the Art director’s vision, and strong administrative and negotiating skills will help you get ahead. An Art Buyer’s expertise comes in when writing the contract or purchase order for a job. They understand and will include all language surrounding usage and deliverables.

An Art Buyer works closely with the Head of Creative and other in-house agency (IHA) creative teams across brands to produce new still or moving images, to source and procure existing rights-managed images and content that align with the agency’s brand, fulfill client requests and project objectives while meeting media-specific technical stipulations.

It takes experience to know when one needs to flag a situation or let it ride out. A good Art Buyer protects the clients and vendors alike. They walk the middle ground.

Why Team Up with an Art Buyer?

The benefits of teaming up with a specialist Art Buyer enables instant ability to scour the dirt and ferret out the diamonds in the rough in an efficient manner. It’s challenging to compare commissioned work vs. non-commissioned as the framework comes from entirely different viewpoints (i.e., tight client brief vs. none).

The Importance of Risk-Taking

Playing it safe is how you end up with watered-down photography. When you see a client take a risk (either on a photographer or concept), it resonates so much more in the market, ending with award-winning work.

The Art Buyer’s Role in Image-Making

In digital media, the focus is on moving images. Advertising and marketing are all about image-making, be it still or moving. The role of a Specialist Image-Maker (Art Buyer) is critical in creating iconic imagery in the ever-saturated landscape, particularly against Instagram and the self-proclaimed photographer.

An English artist, Andy Brown, stitched together 1,000 used tea bags to create a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

The right Art Buyer is the critical steward for strengthening the creative concept and providing governance over image use. You should push, advise, and educate your clients with your expertise to win their trust; you should challenge and support the creatives striving for the best creative solution; you should accomplish the two to create epic imagery.

One of my most exceptional talents is recognizing talent in others and giving them the forum to shine.