In this week’s Frank Talk we sit down with Sarah Hoover – Gagosian. Sarah has built her career in Larry Gagosian’s empire, starting as an assistant while still in graduate school at Columbia. As well as being involved in sales, Sarah is now an artist liaison to some of the gallery’s most exciting living artists and her day to day work deals with a dynamic list of tasks. These tasks include client development, museum outreach, exhibition planning, studio visits, and production and fabrication management. She is based in New York but can often be found in Europe and in Los Angeles, visiting artists and working on their upcoming exhibitions. Please enjoy this week’s Frank Talk!
What is the best piece of advice you can give about working in the art world?
This probably applies to any world, but always be nice!
What is something you encounter often with employees that tests your patience?
I don’t like it when someone has information already in their possession but was too lazy or not proactive enough to look for it. For example, if I cc an assistant on something and they ask me for that info later, I want to say why didn’t you search your email before you wasted my time with this question?
What has an employee done that happily surprised you?
I’m not looking for special favors like cleaning my office or bringing me a cookie. I am happiest when an employee thinks of my needs ahead and makes it simple for me to do my job so I’m not distracted by things that she or he can easily do instead of me.
What makes a person hirable?
Past experience and education will get you on my radar, but the most appealing potential employees are the ones that can give me examples of their strong work ethic and of times when they’ve been able to think ahead and be resourceful.
What is the most frowned upon trait for an employee?
To me I’m very skeptical of anyone who just wants to move up quickly and doesn’t want to pay their dues. You learn so much from paying your dues, and it makes you a better employee down the line, even when you end up being the boss.
What are things a person can do to make them stand out in the workplace?
Think two steps ahead, be resourceful, be polite, and be willing to do things that aren’t necessarily “your job” but contribute to the overall success of the business.
What are things you can do proactively to boost your CV?
Work experience is nice to see but it doesn’t have to be in the art world. If all you can do is a part time job in a restaurant, do that! Managing people and working in a fast-paced environment is a key skill set that can be learned in many arenas. Also, good grades are amazing because it shows discipline and work ethic.
What does professional mean to you?
Being on time (seems so simple but is so rare), looking nice (this means clean and tailored to me), doing what needs to happen to get the job done, and being discrete.
Are there any tips you can give people entering the workforce?
Be nice, work hard, success will come.
Are there any tips you can give for increasing your online presence? Whether with your LinkedIn, Art Frankly or other accounts?
I do not used LinkedIn and do not find it to be as omnipresent in the art world as it is in other worlds. The more work you do the more content you have for the internet world, I have relied on that mostly to get my name out there.
