Traditionally an artist would be represented by a gallery, the gallery would deliver to the collectors and for the most part, it would be an exclusive arrangement. That is very ideal for the gallery because that Artist or collectors Could potentially be a huge money maker in the future. The artwork has to sell or there will be no longevity in that relationship. The gallery is basically a service to the collector and the artist. Now enter the art advisor. A person between the Gallery and the collector. A good one is going to have some degree in art history as well as some business degree they would also have their finger on the pulse of the art world so to speak. there are good ones and there are bad ones. The art advisor offers consultation to a collector when they want to make a purchase, sometimes contractually bound. So any art acquisition the art advisor would want to have a commission, potentially on top of a retainer fee. What if you as a collector, want to buy a painting while you’re on vacation. Well, you have to contact the art advisor if you have a contract with them. And they will advise you on whether or not you should make the purchase. Which can be good when you were talking about a very substantial investment. But direct from the Artist is not usually a substantial investment.. usually buying direct from the Artist will only set you back a couple thousand at most unless they’re very well-known and whose artwork fetches higher prices to begin with. Generally speaking if you run across a local art dealer shop on vacation and want to buy a Momento, it’s probably not gonna be a blue chip Artist. They act as a curator in that sense helping you decide which artwork to buy. That begs a question of what if you like it and it’s not a good purchase according to the art advisor? Is that an opinion is it backed up by academics a PhD a bachelors does it matter? Of course, a degree matters and yes, the art advisor is going to have some of their own taste sprinkled into the transaction. No matter how hard they try to keep it separate, it’s the collectors decision. The Role of an art advisor, who is extremely knowledgeable about art and buisness is important. However, importance doesn’t equate to being indispensable. They seem to me to be like a financial advisor who recommends stocks or some other investment. Ensuring that you make a sound decision when it comes to art buying. However we have to understand that ultimately it is an opinion. How many financial advisors recommend against apple stocks in the 80’s or anything else that did unexpectedly well. 
I’m not really sure how I feel about art advisors to be honest a lot like I’m not really sure how I feel about galleries, because there’s bad players in both fields. Some galleries will make it mandatory to purchase more than one artwork from more than one Artist. They will also demand that the client pay them to purchase an artwork from another gallery so that they can retain control over that collectors purchasing of art, much like an art advisor. Some galleries won’t pay the artist! The galleries that do those bad practices don’t last.
As an artist, I would want the Gallery to display my work tell the collectors something about me. Maybe even arrange a meeting between artist and collector. Recommend art fairs and exhibitions for the artists to attend, bolstering popularity. Having a robust online sales presence and Catalog (coa) the works by the artist that get sold.
As a Gallerist, I want the artist be exclusive to me. The only way to acquire that particular artist is through my gallery, even commission works. it is expected that the artist would also be promoting the gallery in their own social media. Updates from the artist-on new work, and hope the artist is open to suggestions for future work.
As an Art Advisor, I would want the collector to sign a contract and pay a retainer. I would receive a commission based on the acquisition price and have newsletters sent from galleries.
As a collector, I want art that I like at a fair price. I may want to meet the artist and see some other work. I want to be alerted when a new work comes up.
there are certain unspoken rules in gallery artists relationships. That have been in place for many years. Art advisory roles are fairly new. So not very many rules. It’s the Wild West in the art world these days. So keep your wits about you and good luck!
~Artist, Mike Packer