An art restoration business is for ones who can truly recognize art. It may be paintings, sculptures, potteries, textiles, furniture, and everything that come under its purview. An art restoration business focuses on repairing and returning the artwork to its original form. The art may have been left in storage for a long time, or it might have been damaged in a fire. There can be myriad reasons.
You can start your art reason business to serve the public, private, or any government organization, which you may deem fit. You will find many artists taking to this profession if you look around. If you are also in the same boat and see life in pictures and shapes, art restoration is for you. Read about the various aspects of making your passion your profession.
What Is Art Restoration?
You must have visited various museums as a child. You surely remember the artwork put on display. Well, some of them may have been beyond recognition, with the paints coming off or the frame on the brink of breakage. Most canvas paintings also develop cracks and creases over the years, owing to exposure to the air and moisture. Sometimes, chemicals in the air can also damage the artwork. That is where art conservators come into the picture. They restore the damaged pieces as brand new, restoring their value. Today this seems to be a lucrative field, and you can make a potential career out of it.
How Should You Plan Your Business?
Art restoration and conservation business may sound simple, but it requires much planning. You need to make yourself seen and get work. Education is of prime importance when it comes to any business or profession. The maximum amount you will spend on art supplies. Once you finish graduation, you are all set to start work. You will incur costs in renting space, getting art supplies, marketing costs, and such. You might need to become a part of an association as well. However, you can easily recover the costs once you start getting clients.
It is at this stage that you need to ascertain your target market. It can be private art owners, museums, or government art galleries. Many museums have their staff for restoration, but you can still let them know you exist. This will help you make a decent way to let your capabilities out in public, lest they should need some assistance. Most art restorers charge by the hour, but you can also charge based on the body of work.
You must be entering the business to make decent profits. Besides making money, your goal should also cover your education costs and investments. So, you need to price your work accordingly and maintain the books of accounts. Proper accounting and book-keeping will help you keep track of money.
You may hire a professional for this. However, they may charge higher. If you wish to save money on this, do it yourself; it’s easy. This way, you won’t have to rely on outside help. So, taking an online course for accountancy can be a good idea if you do not know about book-keeping. This additional qualification will see you through the initial phase of your profession. If you manage to make it big later, you can hire someone adept at this part of managing your money.
What Are Your Duties as a Restorer?
You need to be clear on the services that you will be providing. Apart from assessing the condition of artworks, you may also have to reassemble them. Designing and fabrication are also a part of the job. You will have to create detailed reports for submission to the client daily about your working stage. Moreover, you need to specify what techniques you are using for the job.
The client may also have suggestions for you. Staying up-to-date on the knowledge of art, architecture, and history is essential for the job. You are also required to provide proper estimates of the work at hand. Aesthetic awareness and environmental concerns are to be addressed as well. So, you should be ready with this arsenal of activities for a lucrative career or profession in art restoration.
How Can You Market Your Art Restoration Profession?
There are two ways in which you can get clients for yourself. The first one is traditional marketing, and the second is online branding. Word of mouth publicity also works wonders. Once you reach your target audience and they recognize your business, work will start pouring in. However, you ought to maintain good relations with your clients for referrals.
Today the hottest marketing technique is to use online networks and promotions. Building a great website depicting your abilities as a restorer can help flourish your business. It’s essential to create a solid online presence by making immersive social media handles, easy-to-use websites, and relationships with influencers in your industry. Leverage both traditional and digital marketing for effective results.
If you want to build a strong business around art restoration, you must ensure that your customers are happy. It means fulfilling their expectations. Things in art restoration may not always go as per the plan. However, you should be true to your work and your clients and explain the system. That way, the clients will also learn to trust you.
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Vinh Van Lam & Stuart Horrex
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