Art appraisal is a career requiring specialized training.
There are a number of career options for those wishing to work in the field of fine art. Art appraisal is one such specialty. Art appraisers are trained to valuate fine art for clients wishing to purchase or sell art, for insurance and tax purposes, for divorce and inheritance settlements, and any other situation which requires that a monetary value be placed upon a piece of fine art.
Educational Background
Art appraisers need a knowledge of art history.
The path to becoming an art appraiser typically begins with a bachelor's degree in Fine Art or Art History. Most four-year universities offer art degrees, and the same criteria applies when choosing a college or university for an art degree as in any other field. Prospective students should look for a well-qualified faculty, and a wide selection of courses within the major.
Beyond the B.A.
Art appraiser training can come from someone experienced in the field.
Persons with the proper undergraduate degree typically become qualified art appraisers either by working alongside an experienced art appraiser as an assistant or intern, or by taking courses through a continuing education program offering instruction in art appraisal, which is a specialty within the category of personal property appraisal.
Continuing Education
Some universities offer certification in fine art appraisal.
The University of California at Irvine offers a Certificate in Appraisal Studies through their Extension Program. Earning a certificate at UC-Irvine involves the completion of 15 units (four required courses and three elective courses) within a maximum of five years. On the East Coast, New York University's School of Continued and Professional Studies offers a Certificate in Appraisal Studies in Fine and Decorative Arts.
Professional Associations
Three major professional organizations offer accreditation, as well as seminars and courses, to art appraisers. These are the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), and the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). These organizations offer multiple levels of accreditation, depending upon the courses an appraiser takes, and the number of seminars he attends.
Excelling in the Field
Art appraisal is a highly specialized career which involves ongoing education and professional involvement in order to keep up with changes within the art world, as well as the global economy. Becoming a well-qualifed, sought-after art appraiser can be an attainable, gratifying goal for a person wishing to pursue a career in the field of fine art, and who is also willing to invest the required time and effort.
