Working in the Arts: Sheena Carrington

This week for our ongoing Working in the Arts profile, we talk to Sheena Carrington who is the Art Market Editor at MyArtBroker.

So, where do you work? 

I work at MyArtBroker, an Art-Tech company that offers the world’s largest online platform for prints and editions, specialising in market intelligence and private sales.

What is your job title?  

I am the Art Market Editor.

What time do you wake up? What are you usual working hours?

I set my alarm for 6 am and typically get out of bed by 6:30 am, and my ‘goal’ is always to complete a workout before starting my day. If I’m working from home, I begin work around 8:30 or 9 am. When I work out of our shared space in Soho Offices, I arrive between 9 and 9:30 am and finish around 5:30 pm.

What are your key tasks?

My role revolves around being deeply immersed in the art market, tracking auction schedules, and analysing their outcomes, which is vital for the data-driven art market reports I produce and author. This initial phase can involve extensive time spent in spreadsheets, examining figures to uncover trends in specific artist markets, what we term ‘art market trends’. Working within the prints and multiples sector is also especially rewarding, as the inherent nature of editions and repeat sales provides more discernible patterns to demand and buyer preferences.

Once I compile the data, I craft comprehensive reports that we publish either as PDFs or on our website. On the art market front, I oversee a monthly newsletter highlighting the month’s significant art market stories. Additionally, I host podcasts discussing these stories, auction results, and market trends. Overall, my role requires me to immerse myself fully within the art market, particularly in prints, and I’ve developed a deep passion for tracking its developments.

What was your career path to this role? 

I majored in art history at universities in Los Angeles and London. I started with various intern/contract jobs before landing my first official role in art lending. While initially unfamiliar with the field, I quickly became fascinated with art as an investment asset. Witnessing the rapid growth of art tech and online sales, I discovered the market reports produced by MyArtBroker tailored to investors in the field. Recognising the opportunity (and not without persistence), I was eager to join the company and contribute to this dynamic environment.

What are the best and worst things about your job?

One of the most fulfilling aspects, in my opinion, is being part of the art market community. It’s a small, niche world where contributing insights and expertise into what drives market dynamics, especially as a woman, is a privilege I deeply appreciate. Simply researching and discussing art is incredibly rewarding. Art is a specialised field that not everyone has exposure to or knowledge about—talk to friends in other fields, and they’ll likely find it fascinating!

The most challenging aspect, I suppose, is learning to interpret the market with fresh eyes. The art market is fast-paced and influenced by cultural shifts, which make defining trends, buyer preferences, and value challenging. There are various facets to navigate – originals and prints, primary and secondary sales, etc. However, investing time and effort into understanding it reveals a thriving landscape for luxury assets.

What careers advice would you give to your 18 year old self with the benefit of hindsight?

While it can be challenging to grasp, patience is key. The right job, opportunity and promotion will eventually find you, especially if you put in the effort. Equally important is surrounding yourself with a supportive team. Building strong relationships with colleagues you genuinely like and respect, and being open to learning from them, is essential. Everyone has a different form of knowledge that can be valuable for your growth and development.

Have you had a secret job that is not on your CV? 

Certainly! After graduating from university and during the pandemic, I taught English to Chinese children living in China through an online digital platform. The opportunity to refresh grammar and sentence structure skills is actually very useful for writing. Plus, it was a rewarding experience to work with children.

Thank you to Sheena for sharing her insights into the auction world. Image Sheena Carrington ©MyArtBroker