How to Start a Museum Consulting Business

Part 1 - How to start a Museum Consulting business - Background

Museum consulting is the business of assisting museums in attracting customers and developing captivating spaces and exhibitions. Museum consulting businesses offer their clients consulting services that are relevant to the museum. The scope of museum consulting can range from museum planning, exhibition development, and interior design to marketing support, project management, and a litany of other tasks.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Museum Consulting business - Background
• Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
• Part 3 - Action plan to get started

What are the costs involved in opening a museum consulting business?

In this business, your greatest asset will be industry knowledge and contacts. Many consulting firms work out of small offices or from home initially. Startup costs are low to start, with overhead costs increasing as the business expands and the scope of the projects increases.

You will need to budget for a few items when building your business strategy:

• Permits and licenses – varies by state and county

• Computer, phones, Internet

• Business insurance

• Professional website

• Marketing

• Travel expenses – consider traveling to various conferences as part of your networking and marketing strategy

What are the ongoing expenses for a museum consulting business?

Since much of your time will be spent meeting with clients, both physically and virtually, travel and technology will factor heavily into your monthly expenses. Monthly costs will fluctuate greatly, and range between $2,000 and $7,500.

This will include:

• Dependable vehicle and fuel

• Airplane tickets/travel expenses

• High-speed internet and communication devices

• Mobile devices

• Lease – $1,500 to $5,000 monthly

• Business insurance

• Payroll and taxes – to save on this ongoing expense, consider hiring some of your employees on a freelance basis

• Marketing

Who is the target market?

Much like your duties, you will have a very diverse customer base. Their passion and support of art will be the commonality. Your consulting firm will act as a resource for the global art community, including galleries, museums, auction houses, et al.

How does a museum consulting business make money?

Museum consulting firms make their money from the many services performed for their clients.

How much can you charge customers?

Consulting fees will vary, depending on the scope of work and length of time working. Fees can range anywhere from $200-$1000 per day.

How much profit can a museum consulting business make?

Depending on the number of clients your firm is currently consulting, monthly revenue will vary. Anywhere from $3,000 to upwards of $10,000 per project can be made in this profession. Factoring in related business expenses, an annual profit of $100,000 or more is attainable, once established and sought after. Make sure you do your research on the front end to determine if you have enough of an art community within (at least) your regional area to give you a start and sustain you.

How can you make your business more profitable?

One of the best tools for increasing profits is to network and market your previous work and overall industry reputation. Many of your clients will come from other museums and art houses, who have seen your work, or hired you in the past. Reach out to various organizations and art appreciation societies. You may even consider offering services for artist management or art buyer consulting.

You can also interact on social media to increase your media presence and overall reputation through:

• Webcasts and podcasts

• YouTube videos

• Art community forums

• Guest spots on industry blogs and in magazines

• Art appraisal

• Represent clients in art auctions

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a museum consulting business?

As a museum consultant, your responsibilities will vary, depending upon the client, the project you are working on for them, and the timeline you have to work with.

Your duties will include:

• Meeting with potential clients – this will be to determine the parameters of the project and your role

• Coordinating with client, artists, art dealers, and contractors

• Delegating responsibilities to project team members

• Traveling – consultants often work with clients all over the world

• Researching the latest trends in the art and museum industry

• Networking

• Marketing your consulting business 

Additionally, you will have a number of administrative duties to tend to. When building your team, consider hiring someone to take over these tasks.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful museum consulting business?

To realize long-term growth and success for your firm, you must possess strong networking and interpersonal skills. This will serve both your consulting firm, as well as your customers, as you work to turn their vision into a reality. In many cases, you will serve as the project manager, so motivational and delegation skills would also prove beneficial.

You should also be keenly aware of the trends in design and marketing for museums and art houses. Stay connected with a network of professionals and potential clients and look for opportunities to show your knowledge and skill set. The American Alliance of Museums offers a wealth of information to help navigate the intricacies of running a business and in keeping up with the latest trends.

What is the growth potential for a museum consulting business?

Currently, the museum industry is experiencing a change in how to connect and engage with customers. Because of greater technological advancements, drawing customers to museums is becoming more difficult. Museums are also revamping their exhibitions in order to connect with a younger, more tech savvy, audience. Therefore, creative museum consultants are a hot commodity, especially ones with innovative ideas for a modern audience.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a museum consulting business?

Leaders in the museum consulting industry offer the following advice:

• Extensive experience in the museum industry or expertise in the art world will be beneficial.

• Cherish and protect your reputation; it is your calling card.

• Bid on smaller projects you can complete successfully, to start. You want to present successful work, in order to get larger jobs in the future.

• Be personable and professional with clients. Learn to listen to the client’s ideas and create complete plans which bring their ideas to life.

• Become involved with the community you’re working for. Show a true passion for the work and the art.

How and when to build a team

Developing a team for museum consulting will most likely be a slow process, at first. You will have to establish your business’ reputation and monthly workload to understand how much help you’ll need. Ideally, your team should also be well-versed in art, marketing, interior design, graphic design, and public relations. A good team member should be personable and enjoy meeting and networking with clients and peers.

Part 2 - Is a Museum Consulting business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Museum Consulting business in 90 days