How do I become a successful art dealer? What qualifications do I need
and what attributes to I need personally?

Dear clarette-ga 

You’ve asked for information on what is a demanding, yet satisfying
career!

Art dealing may involve a passion for art but you must remember that
it is a business and can be financially challenging as many dealers
and galleries finish after only a few years.

Art dealers normally have degrees in art or art history and start out
in the business in a gallery or auction house, while others are
fortunate to have extensive collections themselves and decide to start
their own business. Many also undertake business studies.

Art dealers get in on the ground floor at galleries or auction houses
as assistants or administrators. This can even involve simple tasks as
changing a light bulb, but it will, nevertheless, give you the
opportunity to learn how the business works and gain interpersonal
skills that will allow you to establish their your own businesses.
Some aspiring art dealers also work in art museums as they decide what
to specialize in.

After a few years, with perhaps a move towards specialization, an
aspiring dealer should be confident that he/she can spot the artists
that will be successful. Most dealers concentrate on a specific genre
of art, such as expressionist, pop art, and contemporary art.

Eventually comes the challenge of starting out on one’s own by opening
a gallery or become independent. Remember it is a business and you are
selling a product. Therefore you are require to have or need to gain
sales techniques. Networking and building the client base is an
important part of the art dealer’s day.

The art market is affected strongly by the health of the economy and a
recession can force a small gallery owner or independent art dealer
out of business. In addition, the job consists of long hours, hard
work, tough negotiations, possibly a great deal of travel and very
little time to yourself.

The good side is that you will meet interesting people and hopefully,
admire wonderful art.

You need to be creative, sophisticated, outgoing, confidence, good
business skills and have a knowledge of art.
On the other side, can you take a risk with you money? Are you
prepared to do mundane jobs in the beginning.

Pros
Working with art, which clearly a dealer loves, or they wouldn’t be
doing it!
Sophisticated work environment
Interesting people
Travel

Cons  
Long hours
Commission pay
Challenge to build a client base

Average entry-level salary: $18K - $30 depending on experience and
background
Gallery Manager: $50K to $70K managing a gallery
Gallery owner: Who knows!


Some quotes a recommended site:
"You need a real passion for art to be in this business, because there
is no guarantee you'll survive financially,"
"The business of selling art is difficult. You have to build a
reputation for anticipating swings in taste and value."
http://www.celebritytrendz.com/community/business/artdealer.html

A UK perspective:
Richard Greeen art dealer
“When asked what advice he would give to a young dealer starting up
today, Mr Green smiles wryly. 'When I began I had nothing. I couldn't
have become a successful dealer in today's market, when values are so
dramatically different. A young person can't possibly succeed unless
they have both an eye for a good picture and - equally importantly -
the ability to value it. But then they need the financial muscle to
put those abilities to use. We haven't seen many young dealers coming
into the business recently. When I started there were a lot of really
great dealers - now you can count them on the fingers of only two
hands - it's very sad.'”
http://www.richard-green.com/about/5press.html

Other recommended sites
http://www.teenstuffonline.com/new/careerartdealer.html
http://www1.excite.com/home/careers/industry_profile/0,15625,41,00.html

http://www.artdealers.org/
Details of member galleries for job prospects

I hope this has been of assistance. The searches below will no doubt
lead to other sites with useful information.

Please for clarification of any part of this research, or if the links
do not work, before rating the answer.

Good luck

answerfinder-ag

Search strategy
art dealing" OR "art dealer" "career"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22art+dealing%22+OR+%22art+dealer%22+%22career%22
"art dealing" "starting"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22art+dealing%22+%22starting%22
"art dealing" "starting up"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22art+dealing%22+%22starting+up%22

Your answer was informative and factual. I like the style, it was
upbeat and optimistic, not patronising. It answered all aspects of my
question and I'm very grateful. I found it helpful to be given other
sources of information as well.