Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Documentation Review • Auction Estimates • Insurance Value

Artistic Merit

Term from Art Appraisal industry explained for recruiters

Artistic Merit is a key concept used in art evaluation that refers to the quality, significance, and creative value of an artwork. It helps determine whether a piece of art is worthwhile from an artistic perspective, beyond just its market value. Art professionals use this term when assessing works for museums, galleries, or private collections. Think of it as a professional way to judge if art is "good" based on accepted standards in the art world, not just personal taste. This includes looking at things like technique, innovation, cultural impact, and how the work fits into art history.

Examples in Resumes

Evaluated over 200 contemporary artworks for Artistic Merit in gallery acquisition decisions

Led committee discussions on Artistic Merit for public art installation proposals

Developed assessment criteria for determining Artistic Merit in emerging artists' portfolios

Typical job title: "Art Appraisers"

Also try searching for:

Art Appraiser Art Curator Fine Art Specialist Art Collection Manager Gallery Director Museum Curator Art Consultant

Where to Find Art Appraisers

Professional Organizations

Online Communities

Industry Events

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you establish artistic merit when evaluating contemporary or experimental art forms?

Expected Answer: A senior appraiser should discuss multiple evaluation criteria including innovation, technical skill, cultural impact, artist reputation, and market trends. They should also mention the importance of staying current with contemporary art movements and maintaining objectivity.

Q: How would you handle disagreements about artistic merit in a committee setting?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership in facilitating discussions, ability to balance different perspectives, and experience in creating consensus using established evaluation criteria and professional standards.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when assessing artistic merit?

Expected Answer: Should mention technical execution, composition, originality, historical context, cultural significance, and the artist's body of work. Should also discuss how these factors might be weighted differently for different types of art.

Q: How do you separate personal taste from professional judgment when evaluating artistic merit?

Expected Answer: Should explain their methodology for objective assessment, use of established criteria, and importance of keeping personal preferences separate from professional evaluation.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is your process for documenting artistic merit in an appraisal report?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic documentation methods, including photography, condition reports, artist research, and standard terminology used in the field.

Q: How do you research an artist's background and work to help determine artistic merit?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic research tools, including artist databases, exhibition histories, auction records, and academic resources.