Art dealers who have enjoyed the transition to at-home working, but want to spend at least some time working in-person, are not alone. A poll conducted by Gallup indicates that 59% of the workforce favor a hybrid working scheme, meaning they’ll split their time roughly in half between work and home. In the art world, in-person meetings are particularly important; after all, much of the art work exchanged between dealer, artist and buyer will be within the physical world. That raises the important question of how to make those days spent at home work well for everyone involved.

Creating a collaborative workspace

Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean your workspace can’t be part of the selling process. Many artists use their home as their studio, and that’s a great way to show off your skills to potential partners. When holding virtual calls with partners, use it as an opportunity to show off that creativity and the space you work in. You can create a fantastic, aesthetically pleasing and functional small office even if you only have a small space to work in. Inc recommends the creative use of color and greenery within the workspace to make it as inspiring as possible; a place that will promote creativity and, at the same time, maximum proficiency.

Presenting new views

When it comes to the artwork itself, there are a myriad of digital tools available that can enable partners to really get a feel for your artwork. Real estate has put a lot of money into this field; 3D scanning and mapping tools have enabled virtual viewings of houses, giving those unable to leave the home an opportunity to look at properties while minimizing in-person contact. These tools have increased in terms of fidelity, and can be used for artwork - including physical pieces, such as sculptures. High-resolution imaging can help for paintings too, of course, but 3D or laser scanning can take it to the next level - giving viewers the impression they might have in a gallery.

Quality interactions

Taking an arms-length approach to interacting with partners will improve the quality of interactions when it comes to actually making a sale. Being able to experience art, even through the digital medium, gives preparation for the real thing - and makes it all that more special. After all, some of the most highly visited galleries in the world get there on reputation. Visitors often know more about the pieces inside before they arrive - and that then acts as a gateway towards experiencing more fantastic art. Creating truly immersive experiences from behind the computer screen will help your work to provide that extra spark of inspiration for viewers.

Hybrid working can not only benefit art professionals - it can enhance their business, too. Providing a digital medium for buyers and enthusiasts to enjoy artwork before it goes to sale can create a buzz, and help a greater audience to enjoy art.