Professional art management
What is art management?
Art management brings business smarts to the art world.
It’s the work that happens behind the scenes at museums, galleries, and cultural institutions—the strategic planning, exhibition organization, marketing, relationship building, and day-to-day operations that keep the art world running.
For artists, art management means getting professional support to navigate career development, sales strategies, and exhibition opportunities. For collectors, it means expert guidance on building and managing collections. For institutions, it’s the organizational backbone that makes every exhibition and event possible.
Regardless of your geographical location, art management plays a vital role in supporting artists, promoting art, and preserving cultural heritage.
Our art management services
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Gallery managers are stretched thin. Museum staff are juggling ten things at once. Artists are trying to create while also running a business. Collectors need strategic guidance but don’t know where to start.
We get it—because we’ve been there.
Our job is simple: take some weight off your shoulders so you can focus on what actually matters to you.
We support galleries, museums, and cultural institutions with their operations. We help artists develop their careers and reach collectors. We guide collectors in building meaningful collections. And we do it all by combining the skills you’d normally need to hunt down from five different specialists.
Here’s what we offer:
Exhibition curation
Our team of art curators works beyond conventional approaches. We design thematic exhibitions, retrospectives, and solo and group shows that actually connect with audiences—not just fill wall space.
Through thoughtful curation, we create exhibitions that people remember and talk about long after they leave.
Collection research and management
For art institutions and private collectors, we offer comprehensive collection curation and management services.
Our experienced researchers can help you get a handle on your collection through deep analysis, organization, cataloging, and archiving. We spot trends and opportunities that can enhance your collection’s visibility in the art market and help you plan strategically for its growth.
Whether you’re a museum managing thousands of works or a private collector building your first serious collection, we provide the research and strategic thinking you need.
Art consulting and market research
Thinking about buying art? Wondering if art is a good investment? Want to know how to invest in art without getting burned?
Our art consulting services cut through the hype and give you honest guidance based on actual market research.
For artists aiming at sales or seeking career direction, we conduct research on market positioning, pricing strategies, and opportunities. For collectors looking to expand their holdings, we provide insights on artists, trends, and investment potential—including advice on the best art for investment based on your goals and budget.
We help you understand what makes art a good investment (and when it’s not), how the art market actually works, and how to make informed decisions about buying art as investment.
Exhibition planning and execution
From initial concept to final installation, we handle every aspect of exhibition planning and project management.
Our art management services cover logistics, timelines, budgets, marketing strategies, and audience engagement techniques. We make sure nothing falls through the cracks and your exhibition actually happens on schedule.
Organization of art events and fairs
We turn standard events into memorable cultural experiences.
Our team handles seamless execution for art exhibitions, cultural festivals, and specialized events including:
- Artistic workshops
- Lectures and panel discussions
- Symposia and conferences
- Educational programs
- Art fairs and special events
From concept to cleanup, we manage the details so you can focus on the content.
Art and cultural heritage promotion
Croatia’s cultural heritage deserves more recognition, and we’re here to make that happen.
Working with artists, museums, and galleries, we build connections that expand the reach of Croatian art and culture—locally and internationally.
A well-crafted press release, strong visual identity, engaging newsletter, and active social media presence can make the difference between being overlooked and being discovered. That’s where we come in.
Exhibition branding and graphic design
We provide graphic design solutions specifically tailored to museums, galleries, art fairs, and individual artists.
Our design services include:
- Exhibition catalog design and print preparation
- Poster and promotional material design
- Brand identity development
- Marketing and advertising materials
- Social media graphics and templates
Great design doesn’t just look good—it brings art closer to the people who need to see it.
Brand development
Your brand is way more than a logo.
It’s every interaction someone has with you—your website, your emails, how you present your work, how you communicate with collectors or visitors. We help you develop a coherent brand that actually reflects who you are and what you do.
Specialized translation and proofreading
Getting your message right in multiple languages matters, especially in the international art world.
Our translators and proofreaders have deep experience in art history and the humanities, so your ideas won’t get lost (or worse, mangled) in translation. We work in English and Croatian, with specialist knowledge in arts and culture content.
Administrative support and project management
Your desk is a disaster. Your to-do list keeps growing. You have three deadlines this week and you haven’t even started on two of them.
Sound familiar?
Our project management services help you get organized, prioritize what actually matters, and handle the administrative tasks that keep you from your real work—whether that’s creating art, curating shows, or building your collection.
Why choose DLightful Services for your art management needs?
Because we deliver solutions that actually work in the real world of art and culture.
Our expertise, dedication, and straightforward approach make us the right choice for artists building their careers, galleries and museums managing operations, collectors developing their holdings, and cultural organizations creating meaningful programs.
Here’s what makes us different:
Why we stand out
Our passion for art and culture isn’t just a tagline; it’s the driving force behind everything we do.
We believe in the power of creativity to transform lives and communities, and we channel that belief into every project we undertake.
Who we are
Our team combines art historians, independent curators, and creative professionals who share deep knowledge of the art world with a commitment to supporting artistic and cultural growth.
We have the credentials, the experience, and the genuine passion to help your artistic endeavors succeed.
Want to know more? Read more about our team here.
Ready for a DLightful experience?
Let’s talk about your project.
Whether you’re an artist planning your first solo exhibition, a gallery manager drowning in administrative work, a museum developing a new program, or a collector building a meaningful collection, we’re here to help.
Contact us today and let’s figure out how we can support your work.
Welcome to DLightful Services—where we spotlight your art and help it shine.
Client testimonials
Given the short deadlines we had, I was very happy when Dora agreed to proofread a professional text in English in the field of smart cities. She did the proofreading thoroughly and very professionally, and with a few specific questions, she immediately detected what kind of result we wanted. In every interaction, she was quick to respond and pleasant to communicate with. She met all the deadlines, and we are very satisfied with the final result, considering that she significantly improved the quality of the text written by different authors. We will recommend Dora and work with her again in the future.
Rugby Club Nada Split and Dora Derado began their collaboration in 2013. In its efforts to take a solid step forward in its visual appearance, the Club employed Ms. Derado to create various visual designs such as posters, tickets, booklets, and seasonal greeting cards. Dora’s precision, reliability, professionality, and imaginativeness add a whole new dimension to the Club which, through its work, aims to keep up with the current times in which recognizability plays a key role in one’s marketing activity.
I met Dora a few years ago when I needed help while I was in Split for a research project. I needed an interpreter and at the same time a capable organizer who knows how to deal with people and knows the local environment. Her approach was extremely professional and precise. I could not have completed the project without her help, and I am still grateful to her.
Dora Derado Giljanović performed the proofreading of an English-language academic book edited by me. Although the challenge was immense – the book contained texts by non-native-speaking authors from different countries and from a variety of academic traditions, Dora and her team managed brilliantly. Their thoroughness and commitment cannot be overstated. Dora dealt with each text with great insight, both from a linguistic and academic point of view. She caught many errors that would have escaped my attention! In addition, she kept up a pleasant correspondence with the authors, which helped to bring the whole six-month project to a happy conclusion. I would highly recommend working with Dora on proofreading, especially to anyone dealing with art and related subjects.
The Association of Artists has employed Dora Derado several times to curate exhibitions and translate specialized texts. We were impressed every time by the work ethic of this versatile professional who is both creative and systematic, efficient and relaxed, as well as detail-oriented and comprehensive in her approach to work, regardless of whether she’s working on large group exhibitions that she conceptualized, judged, and curated; solo exhibitions of eminent artists or young, unaffirmed artists; translating complex texts or simple, pedagogically-designed informative pieces. Either way, she is a collaborator to wish for.
I would recommend DLightful’s translation services to everyone. Apart from the fact that Dora Derado is a great and experienced translator, English is her mother tongue. Her being an art historian contributed to the quality of the professional translation of a text which was to be included in my dissertation in the field of contemporary art. Our communication was pleasant, quick, and easy. I’ll definitely turn to her for future translation needs.
I’ve worked with Dora on several different projects and have had the chance to follow her professional growth over the several years that we’ve known each other. With regards to her work ethic, I can only say that she is extremely professional and talented and that I can completely relax when we’re working together because I know that everything will be done on time and per our agreement. Behind the façade of professionality is a really wonderful person that’s easy to talk to and in whose presence I like to be, who I like to exchange opinions with and consult. I’d recommend working with Dora to everyone because she truly is professional and motivated when it comes to the work she does.
Very professional approach! They are well organized and know their job!
DLightful Services does art management for me, I am very satisfied and I think this is my best investment! Since I have been working with them, I have more time to work in the studio.
As a foreigner, I had a complex immigration issue that required a translator. Dora met with me and took the time to fully understand my situation. When it came time to meet with the authorities, she wasn’t just a translator, she was also my advocate. She understands the local customs and culture and without her translating and assisting me through the process, I’m convinced things would have turned out badly for me. She is highly professional and personable. I was very lucky to have found her.
We had a wonderful experience collaborating with DLightful Services, who designed the tourist map of Sutivan. Their professionalism and meticulous attention to detail were exceptional, resulting in an outcome that exceeded our expectations. The DLightful Services team went the extra mile to ensure that visitors exploring Sutivan have an engaging and user-friendly experience. Their dedication and efforts were truly outstanding, and communicating with them was simple and quick.
I highly recommend her to everyone, and I’m sure we’ll continue collaborating on future projects.
I worked with Dora Derado for a few months in 2019 and 2020. She was tasked with translating over a hundred pages of literary text into English. My criteria, when it comes to translating, were quite high and I expected the translation to be in the spirit of the English language, which is where Dora demonstrated great knowledge and flexibility. Our communication was great, and the translations were typically accepted after a few iterations and revisions. Dora is very professional and always stuck to the deadlines we agreed on. Working with her was a pleasure and I can happily recommend her because of her excellent knowledge of the English language, her detail-oriented character, professionality, flexibility, and wonderful communication skills.
I recently had the pleasure of working with DLightful Services, owned by the incredibly talented Dora Derado Giljanovic, to promote my online Business English teaching and my first book. I am truly amazed by the wide range and depth of Dora’s knowledge in various areas such as web design, graphic design, SEO, social media, and project management, to name a few.
Dora’s expertise is complemented by her impeccable organization, professionalism, attention to detail, and remarkable efficiency. Her young team mirrors her dedication and drive, making the entire experience seamless and enjoyable. I am absolutely delighted with the results and the process.
If I could give Dora and her team a 10-star review, I would, but I’ll gladly settle for giving them a glowing 5-star recommendation. For anyone in need of top-notch marketing services, look no further than DLightful Services. You will be delighted with the results!
I worked with Dora on preparing my exhibition “Zavičaj kao vrelo nadahnuća” organized by the Meštrović Gallery in Split. Dora did a great job in creating the complete and coherent graphic design of the exhibition that expresses the spirit of the topic, which is folklore and tradition. It was very pleasant to work with her as she is very detail-oriented and punctual, and she met the deadline with no problem. What I liked the most was that she was very patient and respected my ideas and visions from the start until the end of our collaboration. She has a very humanistic approach to work and collaboration. Highly recommend! :)
We had the opportunity to work with Dora and her business DLightful Services at several exhibitions, and the experience was extremely positive. As a curator, Dora demonstrated a high level of professionalism, expertise and creativity. We especially appreciate her collaboration with artists, where she presented their work with great attention and understanding.
In addition to curatorial work, Dora helped us improve the quality of our website.
We recommend DLightful Services to anyone looking for expertise, commitment, creativity and a professional approach.
Working with Dora, Dlightful Services, for my photography exhibition in Zagreb was an absolute pleasure. From the very beginning, her professionalism and dedication stood out. She was incredibly quick to respond to any inquiries, which made communication smooth and stress-free throughout the entire process. :))
What truly impressed me was her attention to detail, and the way she curated the flow of the exhibition brought out the best in my work. She took the time to understand my vision and executed it flawlessly, enhancing the overall narrative of the collection.
The curatorial text she provided was another standout aspect. It was beautifully written, insightful, and perfectly captured the essence of my work. Her ability to articulate the deeper themes is something really impressive.
Dora went above and beyond to ensure every element of the exhibition—from the layout to the text—was perfect.
If you are looking for a curator who is not only professional but also genuinely passionate about their work, I cannot recommend Dora enough. Thank you.:)
I wholeheartedly recommend Dora Derado Giljanović for anyone seeking an exceptional graphic design experience. Working with her on our recent project was an absolute pleasure. Dora seamlessly combined creativity with technical expertise, delivering a document that not only met but exceeded my expectations. Her attention to detail, responsiveness, and innovative approach make her a standout professional in the field. I am confident that anyone choosing Dora and DLightful Services will be delighted (no pun intended!) with the results and the enjoyable collaboration experience.
As an artist, I have worked with Dora Derado who was my curator for a couple of exhibition projects. I have experienced her as attentive to all the details, very punctual, proactive, and organised.
I found Dora’s writing style in Croatian and English academic, informed, scientific, but underlined by her personal intuition and feminine warmth that embraced the artworks and my story; I felt understood, and well and sensitivity represented.
FAQs
Art management applies business and management principles to the arts and helps art institutions and artists in their managerial, marketing, planning and other organizational efforts.
Art managers plan, execute, and manage artistic programs, operations, and marketing for organizations.
Art managers oversee the development of artistic vision, curate artists and artworks, handle financial matters such as budgets and fundraising, and manage personnel, including staff, volunteers, and facilities.
A good art manager is passionate about the arts, has strong business acumen, excellent communication skills, problem-solving skills, leadership skills, organizational skills, flexibility, and creativity. They are also tech-savvy and good at networking.
An art manager can help you as an artist by developing your career strategy, negotiating contracts, promoting your work, and overseeing your business affairs. They can also provide you with support and advice.
If you are serious about pursuing a career in the arts, it is worth finding a good art manager who can help you achieve your goals.
When seeking an art manager, it’s crucial to evaluate their expertise in your specific art form, their grasp of the art industry, the breadth of their professional network, as well as their communication skills and attitude.
An art manager can help a gallery or museum by developing exhibition strategies, managing collections, marketing and promoting the organization, fundraising, overseeing operations, and advocating for the organization.
When hiring an art manager for a gallery or museum, it’s crucial to assess their expertise in the gallery’s specific art focus, their grasp of the art market, the breadth of their professional connections, as well as their communication abilities and overall demeanor.
The cost of art management services can vary widely. It depends on the specific services you need, the experience of the art manager, and the size and complexity of your organization.
In general, art management services can range from a few hundred euros per month to several thousand euros per month. It’s important to get quotes from several different art managers before making a decision.
The cost of art management services can vary based on factors such as the scope of services, the art manager’s skill level, and the organization’s size and intricacy.
An art consultant helps collectors make informed decisions about acquiring art, building cohesive collections, understanding market trends, and evaluating whether artwork is a good investment. They provide expert guidance on how to invest in art strategically, which pieces represent the best art investment for your goals, and how to approach buying art as investment rather than speculation.
A good art consultant offers honest advice based on research—not sales pressure.
Art can be a good investment, but it’s not guaranteed and requires knowledge, patience, and realistic expectations. The best art for investment typically comes from artists with established careers, strong market presence, and consistent demand. However, buying art purely for investment purposes often yields different results than collecting with genuine appreciation and long-term perspective.
Our art consulting services help you understand the realities of the art market and make informed decisions about how to invest in art based on your specific situation and goals, and through a love of art.




