Full-Time

Associate Cataloguer

Modern Discoveries

Posted on 7/15/2024

Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s

1,001-5,000 employees

Auction house for fine art

Real Estate
Consumer Goods

Compensation Overview

$50k - $55kAnnually

+ Overtime + Discretionary Bonus

Junior

New York, NY, USA

Available for in-person work.

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 specializes in selling fine art, luxury items, and collectibles through live and online auctions, as well as private sales. The company provides online estimates to help sellers determine the value of their items, which is a key differentiator from competitors. Sotheby's holds auctions in major cities worldwide, attracting a diverse audience and ensuring a competitive market for high-end items. The goal of Sotheby's is to connect buyers and sellers in the luxury market while offering a personalized and discreet experience.

Company Stage

IPO

Total Funding

$4M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

1744

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Sotheby's Metaverse Masters auction series taps into the growing digital art market.
  • The acquisition of the Breuer building enhances Sotheby's brand and auction venue prestige.
  • Collaboration with The Luxury Group offers unique experiences, attracting high-net-worth clients.

What critics are saying

  • NFT market volatility could impact Sotheby's Metaverse Masters auction series.
  • Cryptocurrency payment acceptance exposes Sotheby's to crypto market volatility risks.
  • Layoffs following lower auction results may indicate financial challenges for Sotheby's.

What makes Sotheby’s unique

  • Sotheby's offers both live and online auctions, catering to diverse client preferences.
  • The company provides private sales for clients seeking privacy and exclusivity.
  • Sotheby's expertise in valuing rare items attracts high-end collectors and investors.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

401(k) Company Match

Professional Development Budget

INACTIVE