Gallery Sitting
Gallery Sitting is a role where someone watches over an art gallery or exhibition space during open hours. This person ensures artwork safety, welcomes visitors, answers questions about the art pieces, and sometimes handles sales. It's similar to retail work but in a cultural setting. Gallery sitters are like guardians of art who also serve as friendly guides for visitors. This position might also be called "gallery attendant," "gallery invigilator," or "exhibition monitor."
Examples in Resumes
Performed Gallery Sitting duties for major exhibitions at local art center
Responsible for Gallery Sitting and visitor engagement during weekend hours
Combined Gallery Sitting with art sales, resulting in 30% increase in gallery revenue
Typical job title: "Gallery Sitters"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Gallery Sitters
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where multiple school groups arrive at the gallery simultaneously?
Expected Answer: A senior gallery sitter should discuss crowd management, coordinating with teachers, splitting groups into manageable sizes, and maintaining both safety and educational value while ensuring other visitors can still enjoy the space.
Q: What strategies have you developed for training new gallery sitters?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership experience, mention creating clear guidelines, safety protocols, visitor interaction best practices, and methods for handling various situations that might arise in the gallery.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you engage with visitors who seem hesitant or unsure about contemporary art?
Expected Answer: Should explain approaches to making art accessible, reading visitor comfort levels, and sharing appropriate information without overwhelming guests.
Q: Describe your experience handling art sales in a gallery setting.
Expected Answer: Should discuss customer service skills, knowledge of art market basics, sales process understanding, and ability to communicate artwork value to potential buyers.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What would you do if you noticed a visitor taking flash photography when it's not allowed?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to approach visitors politely, explain rules clearly, and handle potential conflicts professionally.
Q: How would you prepare for your first day sitting a new exhibition?
Expected Answer: Should mention reviewing exhibition materials, learning about artists and artworks, understanding emergency procedures, and knowing basic visitor information.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 years)
- Basic knowledge of gallery operations
- Visitor greeting and orientation
- Understanding of basic security protocols
- Ability to provide simple artwork information
Mid (1-3 years)
- Art sales experience
- Detailed knowledge of exhibition content
- Group tour management
- Conflict resolution skills
Senior (3+ years)
- Staff training and supervision
- Exhibition setup coordination
- Advanced art market knowledge
- Emergency situation management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No interest in or knowledge of art
- Poor interpersonal communication skills
- Unable to stand for extended periods
- Lack of attention to detail and security awareness
Related Terms
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