Studio & Business Development Associate
Studio & Business Development Associate (Summer 2026)
Location: New York City (in-person with remote work available)
Duration: Summer 2026 (approx. June–August, flexible)
Hours: Full-time or part-time (open to discussion)
Compensation: Hourly rate + commission on sales
We're looking for an ambitious associate to help grow Antico Contempo's presence in the NYC art world and beyond. This is not a behind-the-scenes role. You will need to develop confidence in pitching Antico Contempo's art and design as you will be in direct conversations with collectors, designers, and gallery professionals. Open to discussion regarding a part-time version of this role.
This is not a traditional gallery assistant role. It's closer to what Sotheby's calls a Business Development Associate — someone who supports sales, client engagement, and marketing while collaborating across functions to fuel growth. The difference here is that Antico Contempo is a lean studio/brand, so the hire will wear multiple hats.
Responsibilities
- Client Outreach & Sales Support: Manage outreach to prospective buyers and partners. Maintain and update a client/prospect database. Assist in closing sales and coordinating delivery/logistics.
- Brand Building: Represent Antico Contempo at public-facing events. Contribute ideas for positioning the brand within the contemporary art market.
- Business Development & Networking: Attend gallery openings, art fairs, and industry events to build relationships with collectors, interior designers, gallery owners, and curators. Follow up on leads and convert introductions into sales opportunities.
- Research & Intelligence: Track NYC art scene trends, competitor activity, upcoming exhibitions, and potential partnership opportunities. Provide regular briefings on market activity.
- Marketing & Content (Plus): Support social media (Instagram, etc.) with content creation, photography, and copywriting. Assist in designing marketing materials, lookbooks, or presentation decks if design skills allow.
Qualifications and Skills
- Completed minimum 3 years of college (or equivalent professional experience) in fine arts, art history, design, arts administration, or a related discipline
- Based in New York City
- Active participant in the NYC art scene with demonstrable knowledge of galleries, fairs, and current trends
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and comfortable initiating conversations and building relationships
- Self-motivated and proactive; able to work independently and take initiative
- Organized, detail-oriented, and reliable
- Interest in classical antiquity, sculpture, and contemporary art
- Passion to be at the start of a brand with unlimited growth potential
- Plus: proficiency with social media platforms (Instagram especially)
- Plus: Design experience (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Canva) is a strong plus
What We Offer
- Sales commission on deals
- Unique access to collectors, gallerists, and art-world professionals
- Hands-on experience building a rising art brand from the ground up
- A role where your initiative directly shapes outcomes
About Us
Antico Contempo aims to enrich the foundation of classics while presenting them in a contemporary form. By collaborating with artisans and employing emerging technologies, we create timeless, accessible works rooted in historical integrity.
Founded in New York in October 2024 by the brothers Alexander and Soliman Aboutaam, their startup was born from a shared goal to reimagine the connection between historical art and modern living.
Inspired by a private family collection established in the mid-20th century, the brothers are determined to honor tradition while reinterpreting it through contemporary design and technology.