A top arts recruiter and lawyer shared their smart strategies and financial savvy insights into navigating the job market and the Workers' Rights Bill.
Here are our key takeaways from the event:
Our experts were Rosie Allan, Managing Partner at Sophie Macpherson Ltd and Kathryn Burke, Associate in the Employment and Business Immigration Group at Sheridans. Moderated by Amah-Rose Abrams, Journalist and Contributing Editor at Wallpaper*
(2.5 minute read)
Understanding the Landscape
The art world historically cycles through highs and lows; stability will return, so stay confident.
Explore non-traditional roles and look beyond galleries and auction houses for opportunities.
Look for job postings on LinkedIn, Arts Jobs, The Art Gorgeous, and directly on employers websites.
Assessing Opportunities
Set clear priorities and define what matters most to you - whether it be pay, skill growth, or personal development. Use these to evaluate opportunities and formulate interview questions.
Tailor your CV to highlight transferable skills. Talk to your industry colleagues about your role to finesse your own understanding of it.
Be cautious of unpaid internships disguised as work experience; real work experience should focus on individual learning, not business gain.
Discuss growth steps with your employer. Book a meeting in advance and lay out what you’d like to discuss so they can be prepared. Always consider the best approach for the specific individual you are talking with.
Ensure your contract reflects your interests and external projects. Discuss carving side projects out of the contract to clarify ownership of any intellectual property they generate and secure employer recognition of your involvement
Side Hustles
External side projects/jobs will not hinder your progression or job search - they demonstrate commitment and work ethic. You can express clearly that you are willing to fully commit to a full-time role in your cover letter.
Craft a narrative that highlights your career history, transferable skills, and future goals - this can be done in the top intro statement - one sentence about what you're looking for, one sentence about where you're coming from.
Freelancing offers flexibility and control, but evaluate whether you might miss the collaboration of team environments.
Networking
Take an individualised approach to networking; make it enjoyable and consider bringing along a friend!
Building relationships is key - not just with those who can hire or mentor you, but also with peers starting out alongside you. Nurture these connections, as you’ll grow together in what is a relatively small industry.
The Worker’s Rights Bill
Starting in Autumn 2026, the Worker’s Rights Bill will enhance job security, giving you the stability to plan and progress in your career. This bit of autonomy can really boost confidence when making career decisions.
Enhanced job security: unfair dismissal rights apply from day one.
With reduced flexibility for zero-hours contracts, businesses may need to explore fixed-term or consultancy contracts for seasonal needs. New government rules could require employers to guarantee consistent hours - for example if you've worked 20 hours a week over the past 12 weeks, you could be guaranteed those same hours for the next 12 weeks.
"Fire and rehire" practices, where employers terminate and rehire employees under altered terms like lower pay, are increasingly becoming unviable.
Looking Ahead
A lot of positives including stronger art fairs, more conferences, an increase in opportunities for idea exchange, and a growing presence of networking groups.
You can use the SML Talent Report as a resource for salary benchmarking and insights into diverse career pathways.
Speaker bios:
Kathryn Burke, Associate in the Employment and Business Immigration Group at Sheridans
Kathryn is an Associate in the Sheridans Employment and Business Immigration Group and has wide experience in all aspects of the employment lifecycle across, primarily, the art, fashion, entertainment and media sectors. Having advised a plethora of start-up businesses and entrepreneurs as they begin their creative journeys, Kathryn is well versed in the issues facing those aspiring to enter the arts sector today. Kathryn passionately supports the sector’s gradual movement towards inclusivity and accessibility for people from all walks of life, which starts by ensuring workers know their rights; coupled with helping art enterprises to navigate the significant challenges posed by newly proposed employment legislation.
Rosie Allan, Managing Partner SML
After completing a master’s degree at Sotheby’s Institute followed by a short stint at Sotheby’s auction house, Rosie joined SML in 2013, starting as the Team Administrator and working her way up to Managing Partner. With extensive experience working with clients across Europe, the US, and Asia, and managing SML's global team, Rosie possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to search and employment. A champion of shared insights, she is dedicated to fostering a better art world for those working within it.
Amah-Rose Abrams, Journalist and Contributing Editor at Wallpaper*
Amah-Rose Abrams is an arts and culture journalist based in London. Working in features, market and criticism she has contributed to The Art Newspaper, artnet News, Time Out, Harpers Bazaar Art, Dazed and Confused and T Magazine at the NYT.