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Full-Time

Associate Cataloguer

Modern Discoveries

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s

1,001-5,000 employees

Auction house for fine art

Financial Services
Consumer Goods

Compensation Overview

$50k - $55kAnnually

+ Overtime + Discretionary Bonus

Junior

New York, NY, USA

Category
Creative Writing
Editing & Proofreading
Content & Writing
Required Skills
Marketing
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s Degree required, ideally in relevant area of study/interest
  • A minimum of 1-2 years of work experience
  • A background in Art History, with experience researching and writing on works of art. A demonstrated interest in Impressionist and Modern Art is preferred and encouraged
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented
  • Ability to prioritize multiple highly important processes and responsibilities in a high-pressured environment and meet constant deadlines
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish close working relationships with a variety of people across the department and company
  • Ability to work collaboratively on large projects while being confident and comfortable taking initiative and working on one’s own
  • Excellent client service
  • Excellent team player
  • Proficient computer skills and ideally a strong knowledge of Sotheby’s systems, including CAT, the Client System, the Employee Portal, Webnative, Excel, Word, photo editing and storage
  • Excellent verbal and writing skills
  • Requires flexibility in work hours and availability to work late nights and full weekends during catalogue deadline and pre-sale exhibition
  • Available for in-person work
Responsibilities
  • Conducting research for each work in our sale and keeping diligent records of provenance, exhibition history and literature references
  • Assisting with physical cataloguing and arranging photography of works
  • Researching and writing catalogue notes for a large variety of works of different genres, periods, media, and price points
  • Work within our digital catalogue design platform, to produce and design lot pages for our online sales catalogues
  • Liaising with external vendors such as conservators and framers, and external authenticating bodies to prepare works for sale
  • Liaising with other departments which contribute to the Modern Discoveries sale, such as Contemporary Art, Latin American art, Prints, and Photo
  • Liaising with internal support staff including administrators, registrars, art handlers, catalogue production, press, and marketing in assisting with the planning and execution of all logistical aspects of the Discoveries sale
  • Learning to evaluate works of art by assisting with research prior to estimate sessions
  • During the exhibition and sale weeks, an associate cataloguer is expected to be an available resource for both New York-based and international colleagues, as well as a knowledgeable source of information on all aspects of the works in our sale
  • Assisting with proposals, both formal and in-house, in the months between sale seasons
  • Assisting with ad-hoc artist research projects and proactive sourcing initiatives
  • Support the larger department by answering the phones and handling mainline requests
  • Providing a comprehensive level of service to Sotheby’s clients. This includes responding to day-to-day client queries and maintaining client contact

Sotheby's is a global auction house that focuses on selling fine art, luxury items, and collectibles. It serves a variety of clients, including private collectors and investors, by organizing both live and online auctions, as well as offering private sales for direct transactions. Sotheby's makes money through commissions on sales and fees for appraisals. The company is distinguished by its expertise in valuing rare items and providing online estimates to potential sellers. Auctions are held in major cities worldwide, attracting a diverse audience of bidders. Sotheby's also curates special collections and offers a more private buying experience through its gallery network, catering to clients who value discretion.

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

$4M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

1744

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

3%

1 year growth

3%

2 year growth

3%
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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Sotheby's groundbreaking $700 million securitization backed by art-secured loans demonstrates their innovative approach to art financing.
  • The company's strategic partnerships, such as with Art UK, enhance their cultural influence and market reach.
  • Sotheby's ability to attract high-profile collections and items, like the Tamotsu Yagi Collection, underscores their strong market position and appeal to elite collectors.

What critics are saying

  • Recent layoffs in the UK and potential further cuts could indicate financial instability and affect employee morale.
  • The departure of key figures, such as Brooke Lampley, may lead to a loss of expertise and impact the company's leadership in certain art categories.

What makes Sotheby’s unique

  • Sotheby's dual approach of live and online auctions, along with private sales, allows them to cater to diverse client preferences, unlike competitors who may focus solely on one method.
  • Their global presence in major cities like New York, London, and Hong Kong ensures a competitive market and attracts a worldwide audience, setting them apart from regional auction houses.
  • Sotheby's expertise in valuing and selling rare and valuable items, combined with their online estimate service, provides a unique value proposition for potential sellers.