As with many of the jobs that have appeared and will continue to appear on this list, being an art director involves a lot more than you think it might. There's much more to this job than deciding which pictures hang on which walls. They actively work with an artist, sharing both their creative world and their creative vision. An artist is often too close to their work to decide which pieces would be best suited to a specific exhibition or display; the art director must handle the task for them.
The core skill at the heart of any good art director's abilities is project management, closely followed by diplomacy. The job will sometimes involve telling an artist that some of their best work isn't right for them, or doesn't work in the context of other pieces will go with a display. A keen interest in art and a history of strong presentation skills backed up by a connected degree will help persuade people that you're right for this job.