Working in an art gallery: Editions Manager

Category: Working in an art gallery — Published: 5 May

Hear from our Editions Manager, Gemma, about her day-to-day and insights for those interested in finding out more about Gallery Editions. 

Part of our Working in an art gallery series of interviews with Whitechapel Gallery staff members — offering insight into the kind of roles available in gallery settings.

Ana Prata, Relatives (2024)

How would you describe your job?

As Editions Manager, I work with the Head of Editions and Editions Assistant to deliver all aspects of the production, storage, customer care and sales of Whitechapel Gallery’s portfolio of artist’s editions. As a not-for-profit organisation, we created limited edition artworks which are sold to generate income for the gallery and these can range from screen prints to sculptures.

What are some of the skills or interests which might be important to someone doing your job?

Time management and communication are probably the biggest skills needed; we often work on multiple projects at a time in varying stages of production, so the ability to approach things methodically and to prioritise and organise your time well is key. As we work between artists, galleries, print studios, workshops, framers, photographers, collectors, shippers and other members of the team, clear and timely communication makes sure everyone knows what’s needed of them when, and are kept up to date with how things are progressing

Mequitta Ahuja, Cradle (2022)

What do you most enjoy about your role or working in the arts more generally?

In my current role, I enjoy how our department interacts with others in the gallery – for example, discussions with curators and the Exhibitions team to identify artists to create works with, liaising with colleagues in Development to offer the works for sale to our Patrons and supporters of the gallery, working with the Communications team to launch and promote the editions. It feels very collaborative and we build great bonds – personal and professional – with other staff across the organisation.

What’s the biggest challenge of your job?

Often aspects of making the editions are out of your control, to an extent; if a printer gets an order of paper late, which delays printing of our edition for example, or a shipment from an artist is stuck in customs and so works arrive late to be photographed and framed. You have to be willing to adapt to other’s schedules, learn to tackle what you can and try not to feel too overwhelmed or frustrated – and prepare a Plan B!

Any advice you’d give to someone looking to work in a similar role to yours?

Do it, it’s great fun! People come to roles in editions departments with different backgrounds and experience, I think the key is a love of working with artists and a can-do attitude. If you’re interested in working with editions, especially in a not-for-profit, check out what other galleries and institutions are launching and get to know publishers who are making work you enjoy – Whitechapel Gallery are a member of Allied Editions, a collective of seven of London’s not-for-profit arts organisations, which is a great place to start if you want to know what’s happening in the UK editions market.

Want to find out more? Read the rest of our series of our Working in an art gallery series.