Christie’s welcomes this spring’s Art Business Conference on March 30th, 2020

Louise Hamlin
Art Business Conference
New York, London, Hong Kong

Returning to New York in March 2020, The Art Business Conference is a one-day conference for art market professionals.

If you’re involved in buying, selling or caring for fine art or antiques – whether you are a gallery owner, manager, art advisor, auctioneer, private collector or professional advisor, this conference will explore the key issues affecting the international art market today.

Through presentations, Q&As, panel discussions, and workshops, industry experts will share advice and insights on many of the key factors in running an art business or collection – including the the latest updates in legislation and taxation.

Christie’s New York

Enroll now for an informative and productive day:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-art-business-conference-new-york-2020-tickets-90201903321

This year’s topics will include:

• Private Foundations, the collecting journey, legacy and impacting investing
• Sustainability – exploring how art organizations can be more sustainable
• Recruitment – how to find, train and retain the best art world candidates
• Important updates on AML5 – this is now officially law in the UK & EU (as of Jan 10) and is relevant to any US business with UK or European clients.  This session will present an overview of the law and the guidelines for implementing business practice for your art business.
• Inside the collector’s head – the neuroscience and behavioral economics of art collecting.
• Pictures Never Lie? The Use and Misuse of the Latest Imaging Technologies for Examining Paintings.
• The language of Art & Technology – what are API’s and how are they applicable to the art market?

The roster of speakers is impressive, to say the least, covering a range of timely subjects. To highlight just a few of the speakers, the Art Business Conference New York 2020 features the director of a Foundation in Dubai that brings Western art to the Middle East, an influential collector and gallerist in New York and Los Angeles, a collector and scholar of export porcelain and neurologist who shares her insights on the psychological motivations of the collector, an expert on Art Law and Luxury Assets recognized by the leading legal directories and praised for her “great technical knowledge of the issues”, and an expert in the scientific analysis of fine arts focusing on questions of attribution, authenticity, preservation and provenance.

 

Deborah Najar

DEBORAH NAJAR

Deborah is the Founder of the JPNF (Jean-Paul Najar Foundation), a museum for Contemporary Art located in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue.  Among the first non-profits in the UAE, the JPNF came about as a partnership with Alserkal Avenue, from a desire to offer a diverse artistic experience, with strong emphasis on patronage, archives and western abstraction. The JPNF is a museum of contemporary art that is home to a collection of European and American abstract art from the 1960s through today. It is also the custodian of a remarkable archive tracing forty years of artist-collector exchanges.

Adam Lindemann

ADAM LINDEMANN

Adam is best known as a taste-maker in collecting and investing in contemporary art and design. He operates Venus Over Manhattan, the influential gallery devoted to iconoclastic exhibitions both historic and contemporary. He has been a featured commentator in several documentaries and interviews relating to collecting and art, including recent features on the BBC, Charlie Rose, and Reuters. He lives and works in New York City.

Shirley Mueller

SHIRLEY MUELLER

Shirley M. Mueller is a collector and scholar of Chinese export porcelain as well as a physician board-certified in Neurology and Psychiatry.  The latter expertise led her to explore her own intentions and emotions while collecting art, which, she discovered, have broader applications.  This new understanding was the motivation for her recent book, Inside the Head of a Collector:  Neuropsychological Forces at Play.

Amanda Gray

AMANDA GRAY

Amanda is a Partner in Mishcon Private at Mishcon de Reya, specialising in Art Law and the related field of Luxury Assets.  She is valued by her clients for her commercial, flexible approach and depth of knowledge across a diverse range of legal problems faced by those operating within the art market and luxury assets fields. Amanda works on both contentious and non-contentious matters including, but not limited to, disputes arising over all due diligence matters (for example title, authenticity, attribution and condition) contractual  disputes and special project work concerning arts and cultural property.

Jennifer Mass

JENNIFER MASS

Jennifer L. Mass is President of Scientific Analysis of Fine Art, LLC (SAFA) and the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Cultural Heritage Science at Bard Graduate Center. She formed SAFA in 2007 because of a growing need for the objective material assessment of objects in the art market to complement the expertise of the connoisseur and the conservator.  Her work at SAFA allows her to assist art collectors, dealers, auction houses, and private conservation firms in addressing questions of attribution, authenticity, state of preservation, provenance, and mechanisms of degradation.

In the Business Pavilion, you can meet speakers and our exhibitors to continue the discussions and expand your art business network.

Ticket prices include entry to all sessions, breakfast networking, refreshments, lunch and post-conference networking drinks.

See you on March 30th!

Save the Date: The Art Business Conference returns to New York on March 30, 2020

Louise Hamlin
Founder and Director
Art Business Conference
London, New York, Hong Kong

2020 DATE AND NEW VENUE ANNOUNCED FOR THE FOURTH EDITION OF THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK

THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE LAUNCHED IN LONDON IN 2014, IN NEW YORK IN 2017 AND IN SHANGHAI IN NOVEMBER 2018. ENTERING ITS SEVENTH YEAR, ITS MISSION IS SIMPLE: TO BE THE LEADING ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR ART PROFESSIONALS INCLUDING ART ADVISORS, COLLECTORS, AUCTIONEERS, DEALERS, GALLERIES, INSURERS, SHIPPERS AND LAWYERS, OFFERING IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE AND GUIDANCE ON CHANGES WITHIN THE GLOBAL ART MARKET, PLUS THE LATEST UPDATES IN LEGISLATION AND TAXATION.

The Art Business Conference Networking

IN 2019, THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK WAS ATTENDED BY OVER 250 ART MARKET PROFESSIONALS REPRESENTING OVER 125 ART ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE UK, EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND USA. THE LATEST CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN LONDON IN SEPTEMBER 2019 AND WELCOMED JUST UNDER 400 ATTENDEES.  THE LRFA BLOG IS VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MARCH 30th ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK AT A PERFECT LOCATION: CHRISTIE’S FLAGSHIP GALLERIES AT 20 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA (49th STREET BETWEEN 5/6th AVENUES).

https://www.theartbusinessconference.com/nyc/the-event/

 

The one-day conference for art market professionals will comprise a full day of lively panel discussions, informative presentations and Q&A’s, all in the heart of Manhattan.

The leading platform for the discussion of key issues in today’s global art market, the conference will bring together industry experts from all facets of the art world, providing a 360-degree perspective on major developments within the trade and offering delegates the opportunity to establish new contacts in the industry.

Louise Hamlin, founder & director of The Art Business Conference says, “I am delighted that the Art Business Conference will be returning to New York for the fourth year and to be partnering with Christie’s. The conference will be held in Christie’s main salesroom, the James Christie room, which is not only an iconic art world setting, but also an opportunity for us to accommodate a growth in our attendee base from across the US, UK, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Last year over 250+ art professionals and collectors attended.”

 

IN THE NEXT LRFA BLOG, THE TOPICS AND SPEAKERS WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED. THEY COVER A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS INCLUDING THE NEW ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING DIRECTIVE, THE SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS OF COLLECTING, SUSTAINABILITY AND THE FINE ART OF RECRUiTMENT, PLUS THE LATEST UPDATES AND TRENDS IN DATA, TECHNOLOGY, AND CONSERVATION SHAPING THE ART MARKET TODAY.

Christie’s New York
Rockefeller Center

SIGN UP NOW! A NOT-TO-BE-MISSED EVENT.

To register please visit: https://artbusinessconferencenewyork2020.eventbrite.co.uk

To register interest for further press enquiries please contact:

Louise Hamlin (Director & Founder)

email: louise@artmarketminds.com

Tel: +44 (0) 7508 231 241

London, New York, and soon Asia: Venues for the Art Business Conference with director Louise Hamlin

BARELY RECOVERED FROM THE MASSIVE AUDIENCE AND ENTHUSIASM OF THE LONDON ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE ON SEPTEMBER 4th, LOUISE HAMLIN, FOUNDER AND ORGANIZER OF THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE, IS PLANNING THE NEW YORK SPEAKER PANELS AND AGENDA. THE NEW YORK CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT THE TIME WARNER BUILDING IN MANHATTAN NEXT APRIL 2019.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE LRFA BLOG WILL CONTINUE ITS INTERVIEW WITH LOUISE ABOUT THE CURRENT PROGRAMMING AND HER PLANS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CONFERENCE. YOU COULD HARDLY IMAGINE THAT A WOMAN OF THE CALIBER AND ENERGY OF LOUISE HAMLIN WOULD STOP AT TWO VENUES.  READ ON!

IN THE CONFERENCE, SPEAKERS EXPLORE WHY PEOPLE BUY OBJECTS, ART WORKS AND ANTIQUES. WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE DOMINANT REASONS?  HAVE THEY CHANGED OVER THE YEARS FROM A COLLECTOR ZEAL TO ONE MORE FOCUSED ON ART AS AN ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT?

There will always be collectors but there are an increasing number of other groups buying art, including those looking to make alternative investments.  The internet has made the art market accessible to all and more and more businesses are ready to provide services which will help buyers make informed choices. 

Such examples recently highlighted at the NY conference in April, were The Magnus App, which works like Shazam for art, founded by art market economist and entrepreneur Magnus Resch, is a good example of the art world accommodating the consumer.  Jennifer Deason, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Strategy & Corporate Development at Sotheby’s made some fascinating insights on Taste Profiling in the Art Market in her closing address.  Art is evocative and inspiring – there will always be buyers – but understanding their needs and educating them will only help to broaden the buying market and this is key.

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN THE ACQUISITIONS IN THE UK AND THE US AND HOW DO YOU ANTICIPATE THEY MIGHT CHANGE? WILL THEY LOOSEN OR TIGHTEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

Wow tough question! And as I am not an expert on this, I consult with the conference legal and tax & accounting sponsors who are best placed to advise on this.  In fact, there was just a session on Anti-Money Laundering at the London conference on Tuesday. I also consult with the heads of the Trade Associations to see how we can best to shape presentations to make them relevant and useful for art businesses.

GLOBALIZATION MAKES IT IMPERATIVE THAT WE CAN TRADE INTERNATIONALLY IN ART AND ANTIQUES. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES IN TERMS OF BREXIT AND U.S TARIFFS?

Leslie, I think you might have just offered me a topic for the NY Conference in 2019?  As it’s something I can’t answer….perhaps we should include this next year?

LVR: AND ALSO THE TOPIC OF US AND CHINA TARIFFS AND HOW THEY ARE AFFECTING THE ART MARKET! I’D LOVE A PANEL ON THAT.

THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF THE ART MARKET, THE INSURANCE, THE SHIPPING, THE TRANSPORT, ARE CRUCIAL TO THE BUSINESS? HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE BEST PEOPLE IN EACH OF THESE AREAS OF THE INDUSTRY TO SPEAK AT THE CONFERENCE.

My years at The Art Newspaper certainly helped provide me with a nice list of contacts, but there are also a number of trade associations in the Art Market whose members all have to adhere to strict guidelines of best practice.  Many of our speakers are members of these associations including APAA, PAIAM and CINOA.

IN APRIL 2018, THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING TOPICS, SUPPORTED BY KNOWLEDGEABLE SPEAKERS IN EACH FIELD.

Art Market Principles and Best Practices

This session opened with a presentation by Noah Horowitz, Director of Art Basel Americas, who defined these sets of principles and their implications for exhibitors. This was followed by a panel discussion exploring the codes of conduct and best practices that already exist in the US art market and looked at what can be done to improve standards in the industry for the future. 

Protecting an Artist’s Legacy

This session offered practical advice for artists’ estates and foundations and explored how technology is working to support artists and their estates. 

Traveling Exhibitions

This session explored the planning process behind travelling exhibitions from the museum perspective, discussed changing trends and how technology is assisting the evolution of travelling exhibitions globally.  The panel also examined best practice when loaning to traveling exhibitions focusing on insurance and contracts.  

The Future of Collecting

How will the next generation collect Art, Antiques and Collectables?  

Cybercriminals in the art world

This interactive workshop offered guidance on proactive measures art businesses can take to protect themselves and covered the following areas: the Human Firewall – training staff to detect and respond appropriately to threats, invoice fraud, password hygiene, shadow IT. Plus GDPR – the largest shake-up in data protection for 20 years, and what it means for US art organisations.

DO YOU FORESEE THE GROWTH OF THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE TO INCLUDE HONG KONG, OR SHANGHAI OR ANY OTHER INTERNATIONAL SITES?

Yes absolutely, I am working on developing the conference in the Asia for 2019.

IT IS WONDERFUL WHEN SOMEONE DILIGENT AND COMMITTED HAS THE INSIGHT TO OFFER A WONDERFUL PROGRAM AND THE FORTITUDE TO EXPAND IT FIRST TO NEW YORK AND THEN TO ASIA. HATS OFF, LOUISE! I ADMIRE YOU AND THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCES ENORMOUSLY AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN NEW YORK IN APRIL.

SO MANY THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO THE LRFA BLOG!

 

IN OUR NEXT POST THE LRFA BLOG IS DELIGHTED TO INTRODUCE DEBRA FORCE, PRESIDENT OF DEBRA FORCE FINE ARTS. DURING A TImE WHEN CONTEMPORARY ART DOMINATES THE MARKET, DEBRA HAS COMMITTED HER PROFESSIONAL LIFE TO THE MASTERWORKS OF EARLY AMERICAN ART. HER EXPERIENCE IN THE ART WORLD IS VAST, RANGING FROM MANAGING A DISTINGUISHED CORPORATE COLLECTION TO HEADING CHRISTIE’S AMERICAN PAINTING DEPARTMENT TO OPENING HER OWN GALLERY. THE CONSTANT IN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE POSITIONS IS HER KNOWLEDGE AND COMMITMENT TO AMERICAN ART AND HER ENTHUSIASM IN SHARING IT WITH US.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING DEBRA’S VAST KNOWLEDGE AND INTELLIGENCE WITH YOU.

London September 4th, The Art Business Conference continues to grow both in attendance and relevance

 

IN A RECENT PODCAST PRODUCED BY ART AGENCY, PARTNERS, AN ALWAYS INFORMATIVE AND LIVELY FORUM, CHRISSIE ILES FROM THE WHITNEY MUSEUM, CAROLYN RAMO FROM ARTADIA, AND HAMAZA WALKER FROM LAXART, JOINED THE ARTICULATE EDITOR OF IN OTHER WORDS, CHARLOTTE BURNS, TO DISCUSS “ART ACROSS AMERICA”. THEY POSED THE VERY RELEVANT QUESTION OF WHERE GREAT ART IS BEING MADE IN AMERICA TODAY.  THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF CONVERSATION IN THE ART WORLD NOT ONLY ABOUT THE GLOBALIZATION OF THE ART MARKET (OLD NEWS) BUT ALSO ABOUT THE EXCELLENT QUALITY OF ART BEING MADE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES OUTSIDE OF THE MAJOR MARKET HUBS AND THE INCREASING SUPPORT BY COLLECTORS AND CURATORS OF THE INNOVATIVE ART OF THE REGIONS.

IT IS NO SURPRISE, THEREFORE, THAT LOUISE HAMLIN, FOUNDER AND ORGANIZER OF THE UNIQUE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE HAS FOCUSED ON THIS SUBJECT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE MOST POPULAR AND TALKED ABOUT TOPIC OF ALL, THE ART FAIR.  THE NEXT ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE THAT TAKES PLACE IN LONDON ON SEPTEMBER 4th AT THE CHURCH HOUSE CONFERENCE CENTER IN WESTMINSTER, LONDON, GATHERS TOGETHER SENIOR ART MARKET PROFESSIONALS, GALLERISTS, ADVISORS, LEGAL EXPERTS, ART FAIR DIRECTORS AND COLLECTORS. EACH YEAR IT BECOMEs MORE AND MORE POPULAR AND CONTINUES TO GROW BOTH WITH AN INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE AND AN AGENDA FILLED WITH FIERCELY KNOWLEDGEABLE EXPERTS IN EVERY AREA OF THE ART MARKET.

http://www.artagencypartners.com/podcast/art-across-america-with-chrissie-iles-carolyn-ramo-and-hamza-walker/

http://www.theartbusinessconference.com/home

THE LRFA BLOG AND LOUISE, AFTER OUR “LUNCH BREAK” AND A CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT LOUISE’S PROFESSIONAL HISTORY IN THE ART WORLD AND THE HISTORY OF THE CONFERENCE, WILL RESUME THE AGENDA FOR THE FORTHCOMING CONFERENCE.

13.00 – 14.00: Lunchtime discussion tables and buffet lunch served in the Business Pavilion and Media Pavilions sponsored by Richard Nicholson, Willis Towers Watson 

Dirk Boll
President, Christie’s EMERI

THE FIRST TOPIC WILL ADDRESS THE CURRENT MARKET, AND THE SURGE OF ONLINE AUCTION PURCHASES IN THE DECORATIVE ARTS WITH THE PRESIDENT OF CHRISTIE’S EMERI. THE COLLECTION OF PEGGY AND DAVID ROCKEFELLER AT CHRISTIE’S IS A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE WAY THE AUCTION HOUSE HAS USED BOTH LIVE AND ONLINE AUCTIONS TO THEIR ADVANTAGE AND TO ACHIEVE ASTONISHING RESULTS FOR THE ROCKEFELLER ESTATE NOT ONLY WITH THE MASTERPIECES OF FINE ART BUT ALSO WITH THE ENORMOUS CUMULATIVE COLLECTION OF DECORATIVE ARTS AND FURNITURE INHERITED AND WELL AS COLLECTED BY PEGGY AND DAVID ROCKEFELLER.

14.00 – 14.20: Why brown is the new black?  Whether new audiences coming to auctions online, or a re-birth for the decorative arts sector, there are exciting developments impacting the way in which people are engaging with collecting today. Christie’s has been instrumental in shaping opinions and influencing a new appreciation for heirlooms in recent months.  As tastes evolve, Dirk Boll, President of Christies’s EMERI, discusses current trends and shares predictions for the future of collecting with Anna Brady (The Art Newspaper).

Anna Brady
The Art Newspaper

FROM THE RENOVATION AT THE FRICK TO THE COSTUME INSTITUTE AT THE MET, AND THOSE ARE ONLY IN NEW YORK, THE TOPIC OF REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MUSEUMS IN THE 21st CENTURY IS NOT ONLY RELEVANT BUT CRUCIAL. LOUISE HAS JOINED TOGETHER AN ESTEEMED PANEL OF INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM CURATORS TO EXPLORE THIS SUBJECT.

14.20 – 15.20: The Entrepreneurial Museum: With contributions from the Royal Academy of Arts, the Van Gogh Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, this international panel will explore, in the wake of funding cuts, what are the new revenue opportunities for museums?  This will also explore how museums are working more closely with the art trade together with a focus on travelling exhibitions, with new data and research on the growth of the travelling exhibitions market globally.  Speakers: Charles Saumerez Smith (Royal Academy), Jessica Litwin  (National Portrait Gallery), Milou Halbesma (Van Gogh Museum), Louise Steward  (National Portrait Gallery),  Bernardine Brocker Wieder (Vastari) and moderated by Jane Morris (Culture Shock Media & The Art Newspaper).

Milou Halbesma
Director Public Affairs
Van Gogh Museum

AS THE VALUE OF ART HAS INCREASED AND THE NUMBER OF COLLECTORS, NASCENT AND ESTABLISHED, CONTINUES TO GROW, THE ISSUE LEGAL RIGHTS AND SOLUTIONS AFFECTS EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE BUSINESS OF ART.

Adrian Parkhouse
Farrer & Co
Chair, Art & Heritage Group

15.20 – 16.20: Comparative Art Law: Arbitrate, Mediate or Litigate? This session brings together a panel of art law experts from the UK and Germany to explore a series of art law cases and possible art law solutions, whether through arbitration, mediation or litigation. Speakers: Nicola Wallace (4 Paper Buildings), Richard Edwards QC  (3 Verulam Buildings), Friederike Grafin von Bruhl (K&L Gates) and moderated by Adrian Parkhouse  (Farrer & Co)

16.20 – 16.40: Refreshment break in the Business Pavilion and Media Lounge 

James Green
David Zwirner Gallery

THE CHANGES IN THE ART FAIR AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND CHALLENGING SOCIAL AND POLITICAL TIMES WILL CLOSE THIS CONFERENCE.

16.40 – 17.40:  The Evolving Art Fair. This panel discussion will explore how art fairs are evolving into new geographical areas, working with local communities and also working in some challenging political/economic climates.  Our panellists will discuss the question of market saturation of the art fair model and the session will ultimately explore the insights and dynamics of the art fair business model and all that is involved in putting together a successful art fair. Speakers: Jagdip Jagpal  (India Art Fair), Touria El Glaoui  (1:54), James Green  (David Zwirner) and Kamiar Maleki (Contemporary Istanbul), moderated by Melanie Gerlis  (Financial Times)  

17:40: Closing address

18.00 – 19.00: Evening networking drinks in the Business Pavilion and Media lounge 

19.00: Conference close

IN OUR NEXT LRFA BLOG, WE LOOK FORWARD TO RESUMING OUR INTERVIEW WITH LOUISE HAMLIN, FOUNDER OF THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE, ON ALL OF THESE TOPICS AND MORE.

PLEASE JOIN US!

 

The Art Business Conference, united by our love of art, with founder and director, Louise Hamlin

Louise Hamlin & panelists
Founder and Director
Art Business Conference

THIS YEAR’S ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE, IN ITS FIFTH YEAR IN LONDON AND THIRD IN NEW YORK, IS GROWING IN ATTENDANCE BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS. IN A REVIEW OF THE NY CONFERENCE BY JOURNALIST, TIM SCHNEIDER, IN THE APRIL 20, 2018 ISSUE OF ARTNET NEWS, THE EXPLANATION IS SIMPLE: THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSES THE MOST PRESSING IDEOLOGICAL CONCERNS IN OUR CURRENT ART MARKET.

http://www.theartbusinessconference.com/

Earlier this week, a cross-section of art industry professionals converged in Midtown Manhattan to debate some of the market’s most urgent questions. Hailing from around the globe and across sectors, participants in the second annual ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE in New York dissected topics ranging from the practical (how to guard your data against malicious hackers) to the philosophical (how to steward an artist’s legacy). 

We’ve packed the most important themes into an easy-to-digest capsule for anyone not in attendance. And since every good medicine is just the result of chemical reactions, here are the three main ideological collisions on display at the conference—and why they matter so much for where we go next.

TRANSPARENCY VS. OPACITY : The importance for dealers to do away with the secrecy-driven elitism of the traditional art sales process but to think of transparency is a much broader sense for the arts to continue to grow.

PROVINCIALISM VS. PROFESSIONALIZATION: From the challenges of globalization to the escalating scale of exhibitions, to the 21st century courtroom battles, the conference addresses the vast change of the art business from a cottage industry…Art has become too expensive, too complex and too globally mobile to keep handling with handshakes and ad hoc plans.

TECHNOLOGY VS. TRADITION: Technology is coming to the art world, whether the art industry is ready or not. The Art Business Conference should be applauded for giving the subject as much stage time as it did. But it will be the industry’s loss on multiple levels if it runs from the changes instead of meeting them head-on.

https://news.artnet.com/market/art-business-conference-1270700

BEFORE RETURNING TO THE AGENDA AND PANELISTS FEATURED IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE FORTHCOMING LONDON CONFERENCE ON SEPTEMBER 4th, WE REJOIN LOUISE HAMLIN, ITS FOUNDER AND ORGANIZER, TO CONTINUE WITH HER PROFESSIONAL HISTORY AND THAT OF THE CONFERENCES THEMSELVES.

LOUISE, THANK YOU AND WELCOME BACK!

THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE IS IN ITS FIFTH YEAR, A ONE-DAY CONFERENCE FOR ART MARKET PROFESSIONALS. HOW WAS IT INITIALLY FORMED AND WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA?

During my time at The Art Newspaper, I worked with a very large number of businesses across the art market, from galleries and museums, trade associations, art fairs and auction houses to professional service providers including insurers, shippers and web designers.  I saw the need for a forum to bring all these different businesses together in a new learning environment to share knowledge in this unique and special industry. 

As Kevin Lay of Arcis said in his closing remarks, at the most recent NY conference, “we are all united in our love for art”.  A love of art and a desire to bring those working with it together was the inspiration for the conference.

APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY PEOPLE ATTEND AND HOW MUCH WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IT GROW?

The conference now has over 630 delegates attending the 2018 conferences, representing over 350 global art organizations. I would love to grow, but physically, I think there is a limit. If we had unlimited space available, would we want to have unlimited places available?  I don’t think so.  It would become too difficult to make the presentations relevant to all and networking could become more challenging. 

Growth in terms of reputation and success:  Yes, of course. I would like to continue to build on the current success to ensure we attract good people to attend and put on presentations which are interesting, informative, educating, challenging, inspiring.

WHAT ARE THE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE STORIES IN WHICH NETWORKING PRODUCED POSITIVE GROWTH RESULTS FOR THOSE WHO ATTEND?

As I have said previously, networking is key to the event and we provide a good number of opportunities to do this throughout the day (networking breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, and of course evening drinks).  In New York, the conference room is set up so that delegates sit at large round banqueting tables to encourage this.  And at the forthcoming London conference on 4^thSeptember, we will be introducing networking tables over lunchtime. This is a great opportunity to join a discussion around a specific topic, ask experts and meet fellow attendees. We have facilitated a number of connections during the conferences and also post conference – connecting people and businesses is what we love to do.

THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS ARE VERY DISTINGUISHED IN THEIR AREAS OF EXPERTISE. WHAT ARE THE SUBJECTS THAT THE CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON WHEN CREATING PANELS OF DISCUSSION?

The subjects are diverse but the brief is the same for whatever the subject. I want to secure speakers who are knowledgeable and engaging.   A lot of time and effort is given to putting together panels of people who do not necessarily share the same opinion on a subject but can bring different perspectives and experiences to the debate. There is always a need to be a little creative in putting together an interesting panel group. In terms of the topics, I try to make them timely, whatever is shaping the art market news at the time that is relevant to the buying and selling of art and also consulting widely across the industry to gauge interest in topics.  

WHAT IS THE CURRENT MARKET IN THE U.K. AND THE U.S. AND HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE IT SHIFT AND GROW?

As a humble conference organizer and not an art market economist or journalist, I wouldn’t like to say!

However, in consulting across the market on topics as I do, it is an interesting time. Brexit in the UK and the Trump administration in the US have brought uncertainty to the art market, but as with everything there is always opportunity too!

IN OUR NEXT LRFA BLOG POST, WE WILL RETURN TO THE SPECIFICS OF THE NEXT ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE ON SEPTEMBER 4th IN LONDON. IT WILL BE WELL-ORGANIZED, INFORMATIVE AND PROVIDE A HUGE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS IN A WIDE RANGE OF AREAS OF EXPERTISE.

WELL WORTH ATTENDING!

 

Art Business Conference, London September 4th, book now!

Church House Conference Centre, London

THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE IN ITS FIFTH YEAR IN LONDON IS IMMINENT, A MUCH ANTICIPATED GATHERING FOR SENIOR ART MARKET PROFESSIONALS. LEADING EXPERTS FROM THE ART WORLD JOIN FORCES WITH BUSINESS LEADERS AND TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS TO SHARE THEIR INSIGHTS ON THE BUSINESS OF ART. FOUNDED AND DIRECTED BY LOUISE HAMLIN, INTRODUCED IN OUR LAST POST, THIS WEEK THE LRFA BLOG POST IS PLEASED TO PROVIDE THE DETAILS OF THE NEXT LONDON MEETING BEFORE RETURNING TO LOUISE’S INTERVIEW.

JUST AS A PICTURE IS WORTH 1000 WORDS, THE AGENDA OF THIS PROGRAM SHOWS WHAT A PROFOUNDLY PRODUCTIVE DAY THIS WILL BE. HELD ON TUESDAY, 4th SEPTEMBER 2018, AT THE CHURCH HOUSE CONFERENCE CENTRE, WESTMINSTER, LONDON, THE 2018 AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS:

9.00 – 10.00: Delegate registration and breakfast networking in the Business Pavilion and Media Lounge  

10.00: Opening remarks from the conference chair, Georgina Adam

Georgina Adam has spent more than 30 years writing about the art market and the arts in general.  She was editor of the Art Market section of The Art Newspaper 2000-2008, then editor at large.  She writes a weekly column on Saturday for the Financial Times. In addition to her specialisation in the art market, Adam is particularly interested in emerging cultural centres.

Michael Ellis is Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism.

10.00-10.15: Opening Keynote Speech: Michael Ellis, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism. 

10.15 – 11.15: Because it’s worth it – Valuing Contemporary Art: Contemporary art can be the most volatile market in the art world. But who decides what it is worth? And how? Four specialists in this area – a gallerist, collector, Valeria Napoleone, a dealer on the secondary market and Ralph Taylor, Global Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art at Bonhams – discuss how values are established from the artist’s degree show to appearing on the block at auction. Also up for consideration is how societal shifts in politics and world geography can make an impact on the careers – and value – of certain artists’ work. This session will be moderated by Melanie Gerlis (Financial Times)

Valeria Napoleone is an art collector and patron to a select number of arts organisations. She is Head of the Development Committee at London based not for profit gallery Studio Voltaire

11.15 – 11.30: Morning refreshment break and networking in the Business Pavilion and Media Lounge

ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND TIMELY TOPICS IN TODAY’S ART MARKET IS THE USE OF BLOCKCHAIN AS A TRANSPARENT MEANS TO ESTABLISH THE OWNERSHIP HISTORY OF A WORK OF ART. IN THIS YEAR’S ABC LONDON CONFERENCE, THIS SUBJECT WILL BE EXPLORED IN DEPTH BY A PANEL OF VERY KNOWLEDGABLE ART AND TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS.

11.30 – 12.30: Provenance and the Blockchain: Issues and Future Visions:  This panel explores the topic of provenance and due diligence in the art market. The session will open with an introduction to the blockchain and this will be followed by a discussion that will assess current approaches to ownership history and investigate the likely future impact of blockchain technologies on the market.  Issues we seek to explore include:

• What is the current state of provenance research in the art market?
• What impact might the digitisation of catalogues raisonnés have on approaches to provenance?
• Could the blockchain revolutionise how we address provenance in the future?
• Should we be seeking an international industry standard for the recording of provenance in catalogues raisonnés, auction catalogues and archives?
• Can provenance research be applied to the market for antiquities and cultural heritage?
• How can collectors be encouraged to engage with the importance of provenance, particularly as prices rise and risks multiply?
• How might artists be affected by these new technological developments?
• To what extent might such emerging technologies disrupt traditional approaches to art business more generally?  Speakers: Robert Upstone, (Robert Upstone Ltd), Jess Houlgrave (Codex Protocol) and Gareth Fletcher, (Sotheby’s Institute), moderated by Tom Flynn (Flynn & Giovani)   

• 

  Gareth Fletcher is a Lecturer in the MA Art Business and Unit Leader of the Art Crime, and Art and its Markets summer study programmes at Sotheby’s Institute of Art.

Codex is a decentralized registry for unique assets like art, fine wines, watches and more. Use cryptocurrency to buy $6 billion of art and collectibles today, and plug into a growing ecosystem of third-party services. Codex stores an item’s identity securely on the blockchain as a Codex Record. We make it easier to buy, sell and manage assets of all kinds.

https://codexprotocol.com/

12.30 – 12.55: Presentation: The Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive – what does this mean for the art trade? 

This session will ask: why us?  What the AML regulations seek to prevent & how do they do it?  Who is required to comply with the regulations?  What does compliance involve? Plus Practical issues for KYC, understanding the transaction, source of funds & risk assessments.  This practical session will offer guidance and advice.  It is now relevant to any business selling works of art in transactions valued at €10,000 or more, regardless of the payment method used. 

Speaker: Mathilde Heaton (RAM – The Responsible Art Market Initiative) and Adrian Parkhouse (Farrer & Co)

Legal Counsel (UK, Europe & Asia), Phillips Auctioneers
Lawyer and Art Law Consultant, Art Law Advisory
Responsible Art Market Initiative, Taskforce member

12.55 – 13.00: Presentation: Have We Taken the Commoditisation of Art a Step Too Far? Speaker: (Willis Towers Watson) 

Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has over 40,000 employees serving more than 140 countries.

LET’S JOIN THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE FOR ITS LUNCH AND NETWORKING BREAK AND DISCUSSION TABLES AND RETURN IN OUR NEXT LRFA BLOG POST TO THE AFTERNOON SESSION. IN THE MEANTIME YOU CAN MAKE YOUR PLANE AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS!

AND FOR THOSE OF US STUCK ON THIS SIDE OF THE POND, THERE IS ALWAYS THE GREAT NEW YORK ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE NEXT SPRING, AT TIME WARNER, TO ANTICIPATE.

 

 

 

A force for good: The Art Business Conference with founder Louise Hamlin

Louise Hamlin
Founder and Director
The Art Business Conference

ART CONFERENCES AND PANELS ABOUND, USUALLY HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN ART FAIR, OR A MUSEUM ASSOCIATION OR ACADEMIC GATHERING SUCH AS THE COLLEGE ART ASSOCIATION WHICH ANNUALLY BRINGS TOGETHER SCHOLARS IN THE FIELD OR CONVERSATIONS AT MIAMI ART BASEL WHICH FEATURES PANEL DISCUSSIONS WITH LEADING ARTISTS, COLLECTORS AND GALLERISTS.

THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE, HOWEVER, IS UNIQUE IN ADDRESSING THE CONCERNS OF EVERY ASPECT OF THE ARTS FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE. LEADING LAWYERS WHO SPECIALIZE IN INTERNATIONAL ART AND CULTURAL PROPERTY ISSUES, HEADS OF ARTIST ESTATE FOUNDATIONS, GLOBAL INSURANCE BROKERS, INTERNATIONAL ART SHIPPING AND TRANSPORT EXPERTS, FOUNDERS OF INTERNET ART PLATFORMS SUCH AS ARTSY, ART FAIR ORGANIZERS SUCH AS THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIRMAN OF MASTERPIECE, LONDON SERVE ON PANELS ORGANIZED BY FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, LOUISE HAMLIN, AND ADDRESS THE TOPICS THAT CONCERN EVERYONE IN THE ART WORLD. THE DISCUSSIONS, BOTH PROVOCATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES KEEP US INFORMED AND CURRENT ON THE BUSINESS OF ART.

ARCIS

THE LRFA BLOG IS DELIGHTED TO WELCOME LOUISE HAMLIN, FOUNDER OF THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE AND ART MARKET MINDS.

THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE IS AN EXTRAORDINARY PLATFORM TO GAIN EXPERTISE IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE BUSINESS OF ART FROM EXPERT PANELISTS GATHERED TOGETHER  BY LOUISE HAMLIN, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR. INITIATED IN LONDON IN 2014 AND HELD IN NEW YORK AS WELL FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, IT IS THE LEADING FORUM TO DISCUSS THE KEY ISSUES THAT CONCERN OUR GLOBAL ART MARKET. THE ROSTER OF KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AND THE SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION ARE TIMELY, INFORMATIVE AND INVALUABLE IN PROVIDING INSIGHT FOR RUNNING AN ART BUSINESS OR FOR COLLECTING WITH SKILL AND INSIGHT.

LOUISE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING TIME FROM YOUR VERY BUSY SCHEDULE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE LRFA BLOG.

WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND IN THE ARTS? WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH PRIOR TO ORGANIZING THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCES IN LONDON AND NEW YORK?

I studied History of Art at the Courtauld Institute and worked for The Art Newspaper for 14 years, ultimately as Head of Sales, before starting Art Market Minds in 2014, the business behind the Art Business Conference.  My whole career has been in the Art world and I have been lucky enough to work with a great many people from a wide variety of businesses within it.

HOW DOES THE ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE SUPPORT AND ADD TO THE BUSINESS OF THE PROFESSIONALS THAT ATTEND?

The professionals who attend the conference come from a broad range of businesses across the art market.  The conference provides the opportunity not just to learn about different issues in the market but hopefully offers practical insight and guidance to art businesses and those running an art collection today.  It is also a good opportunity for delegates to meet with one another, network, and actively tap into each others’ expertise.

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE AND WHAT IS THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE CONFERENCE?

Senior Art Market professionals are the target audience but the conference is open to anyone who works or is interested in working in the Art Market.  The main focus of the conference is to bring together art market professionals to discuss the key issues affecting the global art world and to share insights. All our delegates are busy working professionals, so we have to offer something that not only educates but provides plenty of opportunities to network. 

Protecting the Artist’s Legacy
Art Business Conference

FOR THE GALLERY OWNER, PRIVATE DEALER OR ADVISOR, WHAT ARE TOPICS OF SPECIAL INTEREST?

You have highlighted right there the diverse range of people who work in the Art Market but my hope is that the areas of special interest we cover have broad appeal: whether a gallery owner or an advisor, listening to, and meeting with, specialist service providers including lawyers, insurers and curators,  shippers, art storage providers and IT security experts, will be at the very least, thought-provoking and at best, inspire best practice across the art market.

FOR THE COLLECTOR, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONFERENCE?

The conference wants to be a force for good in today’s art market. When the art trade is covered in the press, it is more often covering negative stories. The conference aims to promote best practice in the industry and hopefully this sends a positive message to collectors or new investors in art. There are also practical aspects the conference offers for collectors, as we have a number of exhibitors in our Business Pavilion in both London and New York who offer services to the collector.  In New York 2018, there was Sandra Liotus Lighting Design, offering bespoke lighting solutions for all kinds of delicate art work; the Art Loss Register which can provide full searches on works of art; Veevart and Synergy Associates that build secure IT platforms for data and collection management.

Stolen: The Gallery of Missing Masterpieces
Julian Radcliffe, the head of the Art Loss Register in London, has been the consultant adviser on this important project.

IN OUR NEXT LRFA BLOG, LOUISE WILL DETAIL THE FORTHCOMING 5th LONDON ART BUSINESS CONFERENCE ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2018, AT THE CHURCH HOUSE CONFERENCE CENTRE, WESTMINSTER, LONDON.

BOOK YOUR RESERVATION NOW!