Museums Urged to Recruit from Commercial Art Sector as Gallery Closures Free Talent

A study conducted by the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) in collaboration with Sophie Macpherson Ltd. (SML) indicates that almost 75% of professionals in the commercial art sector are open to moving into museum roles, motivated more by the mission and societal impact than by financial compensation. The research included over 17,000 individuals from SML's international network, with 406 participants providing insights. Notably, 85% expressed that enhancing public access to art was their primary incentive, while 80% were interested in working with historically significant collections. Despite this interest, 84% recognized lower salaries as a major obstacle. The authors recommend that museums expand their recruitment efforts to include candidates from galleries, auction houses, and art advisory, as museums now function similarly to mid-sized businesses, necessitating skills in strategy, communications, fundraising, and technology in addition to curatorial expertise. They propose that increased mobility between commercial and museum sectors could foster innovation in business strategies, audience engagement, and philanthropy. The piece, co-authored by TMA director Adam M. Levine and SML managing partner Rachel Johnston, references SML's 2025 Art Market Talent Report.