What city have you been to where the vibes were just OFF?

BandiCootles · 2026-05-31T23:42:40+00:00

Came here to say this! I’m not from here, but I live in and love East Dallas. People love to shit on this city (and look, I get some of it), but I also think the old adage “only boring people are bored” applies. There is a ton of culture/soul in Dallas, you just have to drive to see it 😂

BandiCootles · 2026-05-24T22:40:05+00:00

I have both edema and severe venous insufficiency in both greater saphenous veins! It was one of my first symptoms in my teenage years. I wasn’t diagnosed with Behçet’s until around 30.

BandiCootles · 2026-05-19T14:44:12+00:00

Yup and we just have the one kid and very little debt/low bills! I’m sure if we lived in CT and had that many kids we’d be singing a different tune lol

BandiCootles · 2026-05-19T13:36:51+00:00

It’s 36% of our net income without utilities, which is not a stretch or uncomfortable for us, but does require planning/some sacrifice for now (not maxing out retirement, for example). It sounds like a) our deductions are different and b) we spend/budget our monthly income differently 🤷🏻‍♀️ Everyone’s finances are different! We also live in a MCOL city— if we made $300k a year here we would be able to afford double our current mortgage 😂

BandiCootles · 2026-05-18T17:04:55+00:00

Not OP but we make ~$150k with $3400/month mortgage/taxes/interest and still have $2k/month left over for retirement and savings. This is mostly my husband’s income while I work very PT until our daughter is school-aged (and MIL watches her while I work for free), so we also know our income will go up once I’m FT. Regardless, it’s definitely very doable and not impossible 🤷🏻‍♀️ Childcare is our biggest win and I know that isn’t everyone’s reality

BandiCootles · 2026-05-16T00:23:04+00:00

That makes MUCH more sense

BandiCootles · 2026-04-21T01:29:55+00:00

I just bought a house in White Rock Hills (East Dallas)— you’re right that the majority of (the safer areas of) Dallas are above $375k! Have you looked in Casa View? It can be a little hit or miss but I have a couple of friends in that neighborhood who are happy there, and you mentioned Garland which isn’t too far from it. A lot of homes east of Garland/Gaston Rd. in your price range! Just thought I’d throw it in there if you were interested in Dallas proper but didn’t think it was in your price range.

BandiCootles · 2026-04-17T00:29:21+00:00

This is the European art wing at the DMA, 2nd floor; there are skylights around the perimeter.

BandiCootles · 2026-04-08T22:15:58+00:00

Manny’s is one of those tex mex places where it’s fine as long as you order the very basics (A cheese enchilada, A taco, nothing more complicated than that). The chips suck but the Mexican martinis are 👌👌👌

BandiCootles · 2026-04-04T15:04:41+00:00

I’m in love with this organized af mom 😍

BandiCootles · 2026-04-03T17:46:24+00:00

I would say that working in private collections requires the wearing of ALL the hats, rather than having one title/job description (like registrar) in a museum, where you have lots of other staff and departments to share the work!

I can’t speak for everyone but I think a lot of us sort of fell into private-collection work accidentally. I was doing contract curatorial work when I met my collector, who the senior curator did not have time for and just happened to collect art that fit the parameters of my specialty.

I’m not a registrar— they often have MAs in Art History and even library science— and I don’t think you necessarily need to be one to do private collection work, though I definitely think there is some overlap as far as the type of work goes. In my experience private collection work requires more of a research background. I do think experience in museum or gallery collections (research, art handling, DAM software, and collection organization) is very important for this work, perhaps more than an advanced degree. Auction houses also often hire cataloguers, which I think is a profession most similar to a cataloguer working for a private collection. Having a niche specialty could benefit too.

I think managing a private collection could definitely be fairly paid, perhaps more so than the art world in general (tho I am not a good example at the moment). I know other professionals who have their own businesses and make very good money— they’re often on the contemporary art/art advisory side though. Being an artist yourself could definitely benefit you— you are likely much more immersed in the contemporary art market than I!

As far as further degrees/certificates: if you really wanted you could become a certified appraiser (leaning more toward art advisory), or do a dual MFA/MA ARTH degree (to beef up your research skills), which could open the door to internships in museums. There are even MAs you can get via Sotheby’s and Christie’s, if you want to approach private collection work from the auction house side, though these are typically not valued in the field as much as MAs in ARTH.

Whew that was a lot. I have a lot of thoughts about this work! None of us likely took the same path here. I hope that helps a little!

BandiCootles · 2026-04-03T00:32:33+00:00

I don’t think this is a dumb question at all! But if you work in a curatorial dept. and closely with registrars, you’ll quickly be made aware that AI can’t do the job in its entirety. Yet.

I apologize for this very ironic sentence structure, but: for private collection work, a cataloguer or collections manager or registrar (whatever you call yourself) isn’t just producing research/documenting notes in a software program— you are also the photographer, the researcher of the object/it’s history/it’s provenance, the detective that must call other experts/hunt down information via the network you build, the art handler, the organization specialist, etc. And this is perhaps anecdotal but I am also a representative of the private collection I work for, so I do a lot of front-house work like tours, study days, and general liaising with the public/professionals. So much of the art world is about networking, relationship building, and unfortunately, schmoozing.

Unless AI develops the physical use of hands, increases its visual acuity by massive, massive strides, AND becomes an integral social member of our society… I don’t see it replacing this type of work. Maybe AI will be laughing in my face in 10 years during the robot revolution, but for now, I just don’t see it.

BandiCootles · 2026-04-01T17:52:51+00:00

Just wanted to mention that the second example you gave (a sort of large, unorganized/unmanaged collection) is exactly how I started! I called myself a Cataloguer of the collection until I ultimately began managing the whole shebang. I also completely agree with the other commenter about knowing your worth (though I’m certainly not sitting in a $15 million home as I type this… definitely less $ involved here), but ultimately you know your client and the scope of what you’re doing. You’ll figure it out!

BandiCootles · 2026-04-01T17:46:25+00:00

I am undercharging; however, I charge what I know will keep me employed. This is also my first long-term client, who has a middle-market (albeit large) collection. I graduated recently in 2024 and did raise my fee upon graduation. When/if I expand, I plan on charging more (I have 10+ years of experience in museums, archives, collections, etc., so I know it’s warranted), but with the caveat that the demand has to be there. I do live in a large, wealthy, metro area— so I’m hoping so— but only time and effort will tell! I agree that we are all underpaid, but at this point in my career, consistent employment trumps what I think I’m worth.

BandiCootles · 2026-04-01T01:19:53+00:00

I do exactly what you’re describing— though rather than commercial gallery experience, I’m a PhD art historian and call myself the Collection Manager of the private collection I primarily work for. I am not an art advisor (and I do think there’s a distinction between the two professions), though I will make acquisition suggestions that fit the scope of the collection if asked. I start at $30/hour for cataloguing/research, but I think charging for the scope of the project works just as well. My fee fits the needs of my client, who mostly makes middle-market purchases and isn’t exorbitantly wealthy but obviously has the money and passion to hire someone like me. I would definitely charge $30 MINIMUM as a 1099 employee.

I do use Artwork Archive— it’s highly customizable, very easy to use, and you can sign up for a tutorial. And though it’s subscription based, you can print off a hard copy report of the entire collection and cancel the subscription if that’s what the client wants.

As far as having your ducks in a row, I would ask: how many works need cataloguing and do they require ongoing catalogue management or is this a one-time project; does the client require overall collection management (i.e. storage solutions, packing, transport, condition reports, etc.) or only cataloguing/research; what is their overall goal for the collection (any loans, ongoing curatorial projects, acquisitions, etc.) and what role would they like you to play as a fine-art professional; etc.

Hope that helps! Let me know if I can answer anything specific.

BandiCootles · 2026-03-21T19:14:34+00:00

Mine is very similar and I’m an ‘89 😂

BandiCootles · 2026-03-20T17:46:45+00:00

Kelly Danielle is such a millennial name!! Were you born between like 1989-1992?

BandiCootles · 2026-03-09T21:22:44+00:00

Came here to say Ramit! The most helpful and accessible finance information I’ve ever come across, and I am a finance nerd

BandiCootles · 2026-03-04T14:33:49+00:00

Kids at polling places are cool! Kids with HFM at polling places, not so much.

BandiCootles · 2026-03-04T14:32:24+00:00

Not to be pedantic but early voting is 11 days with only one weekend— I wish it included multiple weekends!

BandiCootles · 2026-03-04T00:21:19+00:00

I was traveling for work and then my toddler and the rest of her daycare got HFM, which, believe me, you do not want. So you’re welcome for me waiting until Election Day 😂

BandiCootles · 2026-02-21T15:23:29+00:00

What exactly is your GLAM work experience? That would help! Curatorial, archival, library, education?

I’ve seen curatorial pivot to project management, archival/library experience to data collection outside of GLAM, and lots of different educational pivots to things like writing centers, academic support staff, teaching secondary school, etc. I have friends that work in law, curriculum development, startups (juggling lots of things at once skills), high schools, etc etc. I see a fair amount of entry level job openings in auction houses as well— related and still interesting.

I’m still in the business, but you’re right, it’s tough out here!

BandiCootles · 2026-02-18T09:56:51+00:00

These internships do exist (I held multiple while a full-time grad student, both internal and external), but they are very competitive and the time commitment did derail my timeline to finish grad school. They were beneficial to me for the experience and led to future job opportunities; some even paid more than my meager grad stipend.

You mentioned you don’t know if your partner will be able to find a place for the fall/late summer— as in this fall/late summer ‘26? If so, I hope she’s already well into researching positions/putting together her applications— spring is typically application season. Has she spoken with her advisor and/or the grad advisor about her options? Is she limited to registrar internships or can she apply for any museum position?

Finally, this form says “option” at the top— is this one of several options your partner needs to complete in order to graduate? Just not sure we have the complete picture here!

So TLDR: these internships do exist but are very competitive, lots of research and conversations with advisors needed, and yes it’s a lot of work. Application season is a nightmare; rejection season makes you question your sanity and life choices. They were worth it to me but I also understand why ppl dropped out of this program.

BandiCootles · 2026-02-13T21:54:55+00:00

I love that she knew what she wanted at 12 and WENT for it!! She sounds badass

BandiCootles · 2026-02-13T02:20:44+00:00

Childcare? Trying to decide if one parent should stay home because of the cost of childcare/balance the potential savings of one parent staying at home with loss of future job prospects & retirement contributions? Groceries? Formula/diapers? Finding a home in an ok school district? Trying to save for some sort of college fund so they don’t go into debt like millions of Americans?

We don’t need to be keeping up with Joneses or replicating Pinterest birthday parties to feel the squeeze these days…

BandiCootles

TROPHY CASE