ArtCollect: An Expert's Guide to Art Collecting

To start off the ArtCollect course, our experts will guide you through the process of building a collection, step by step. First, we’ll help you define your style and personal motivation for collecting. We’ll also discuss the different types of art to collect, including emerging and blue-chip artists, and how to identify them.

Next, we’ll share the best places to find and buy art, including galleries, art fairs, and auctions. You’ll learn how to navigate the art market like a pro, including the primary and secondary markets as well as collecting logistics. We’ll then discuss transparency and trust in the art world, and how you can contribute to an artist’s career by supporting their development. We’ll also touch on legal issues surrounding artwork, and the differences between a gallerist and an art advisor. Overall, you’ll learn how building your art collection from the ground up is a rewarding and exciting journey.

Module Instructors:

Charlie Manzo, Director of Advisory at Winston Art Group

Charlie brings 20 years of experience in the art world to Winston Art Group, with experience as a gallery director, independent curator and artist liaison. He is an expert in post-war & contemporary art with an ardent love for Minimalism.. He is also a horology enthusiast and WAG’s in-house watch market expert.

Alaina Simone, Founder of Alaina Simone Incorporated and Alaina Simone Productions LLC

Alaina is the owner and founder of Alaina Simone Incorporated (an art gallery and artist liaison consultancy focused on internationally recognized interdisciplinary emerging and established artists, collections, and institutions) and of Alaina Simone Productions LLC (a production company specializing in creative partnerships between luxury brands, cultural influencers, and contemporary artists actively working across disciplines, practices, and fields).

We’ll help you understand the key considerations for properly maintaining and protecting your private collection in Module 2. Experts will discuss how conducting due diligence is essential when considering purchasing art. This includes researching the artist, understanding the artwork's condition and provenance, and determining the artwork's value.

We’ll then cover why maintaining an up-to-date inventory of your collection is important for risk management purposes. You’ll also learn how to recognize the key differences between insurance policies and understand specialized shipping and transit protocols to ensure your pieces are properly handled. Finally, we’ll cover why storing your collection safely is crucial in protecting it against potential risks. By following these guidelines, you can properly manage the risks associated with art collecting and protect your collection for years to come.

Module Instructors:

Muys Snijders, Head of Art Services at Private Client Select Insurance Services

Muys is the Head of Art Services at Private Client Select Insurance Services (formerly AIG’s Private Client Group) based in New York. She oversees all aspects of risk management for Private Client Select’s insurance portfolio of art, jewelry, cars, wine and collectibles.

Kyle McGrath, Head of Fine Art & Collections at Private Client Select Insurance Services

Kyle currently holds the position as Head of Fine Art & Collections within Private Client Select (formerly AIG Private Client Group), overseeing underwriting and business development for all US-based Private Collections business.

This module will take you through essential tips and tricks of working with a gallerist effectively. We'll cover everything you need to know from building a strong relationship and getting the most out of your art collecting experience. First, we'll discuss the importance of selecting a gallerist with the right qualifications and experience. They should also have strong connections to artists, curators and collectors.

Next, we'll dive into building a strong rapport with your gallerist, which can lead to incredible opportunities. We'll also cover the fundamental services that galleries offer, such as art advisory, consultation, and access to private collections. Finally, we'll discuss how galleries determine the value of artworks and set pricing structures, and after-sales support that galleries can offer, such as assistance with framing, installation, and conservation.

Module Instructor:

Caren Petersen, Owner of Muse Art Services

Caren works as a consultant with clients in Boston, Chicago, Santa Fe, Columbus providing various business services for artists and collectors, and can provide and deliver artwork for most of the U.S.

Purchasing art online has become the ideal place to explore the worldwide art market. In this module we'll guide you through the process from researching to confirming the artwork's condition, to handling transportation and documenting your new pieces. Experts will also discuss what to look for when reviewing a piece's description or cataloging, especially when you can't see the work in person.

We'll also dive into the price, negotiability, associated fees, and invoicing aspects of buying art online. We’ll cover transportation and insurance once a piece is purchased— who covers what, how is an artwork's condition is verified, and what happens before it goes into transport. We’ll offer advice on the best practices of digitizing your collection and documentation, protecting your collectibles virtually, and using cloud-based tools to organize and centralize everything.

Module Instructors:

Jason Rulnick, Senior International Specialist at Artnet

With Artnet, Jason has organized single artist auctions and has placed artworks into institutions and personal collections through gallery exhibitions, private sales and auctions, including significant artworks of Yayoi Kusama, Anish Kapoor, Takashi Murakami, Alex Katz and Peter Saul, among others.

Elysian McNiff Koglmeier, Head of Growth at Artwork Archive

Elysian is Head of Growth for Artwork Archive, an online art inventory management system for artists, collectors and organizations. Elysian works with individual collectors, art advisors, galleries and collecting institutions to organize and manage their artworks.

In this module, we'll dive deep into the fascinating world of auctions and explore all the ins and outs of this process. We’ll start with the basics by redefining the primary market and secondary markets. We'll then delve into how auctions work, including the different types of auctions and the dominant markets and departments, such as Post War, Contemporary, and Modern art. Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, it’s important to find the right auction house that specializes in your area of interest.

We’ll then explain the relationships between buyers, sellers, and auction houses and understanding the resources available and how bids are made. The advantages of buying and selling through an auction will be shared while also emphasizing the importance of provenance and proper documentation. We'll also discuss how new channels like online sales are changing the market, exponentially growing in popularity.

Module Instructor:

Bianca Cutait, Senior Specialist, Post-War and Contemporary Art at Bonhams (Americas)

Before joining Bonhams in 2022, Bianca founded the international art advisory firm Arte Fundamental with a gallery in Miami, exhibiting American and Latin American artists as well as NFTs and digital art. She previously held roles in many different aspects of the art industry in Brazil, the United States and Switzerland.

Whether you are going with the intention of buying art at an art fair or just to enjoy, this module will share some insider tips to help make the most of your time. From taking measurements and photos of any empty spaces to fill, to deciding on a budget, and researching the exhibitors beforehand to make note of pieces and galleries that catch your eye, we’ll cover it all.

We’ll discuss why it’s important to engage with the gallery owners, directors, art dealers, and artists, and ask questions about the art that intrigues you. We’ll also touch on how to negotiate the price, and why you should verify the invoice and any terms and conditions before paying for your purchase. Plus, we’ll cover what you need to know about taxes, shipping, and condition information, and why you should always keep important post-sale documents like certificates of authenticity and invoices.

Module Instructors:

Linda Mariano, Managing Director, Marketing at Redwood Art Group

With a career that spans 35 years, Linda is a leader in marketing, licensing, brand management, e-commerce and promotion initiatives for major retailers, specialty retail, art industry, licensing partnerships, media and entertainment, as well as entrepreneurial business environments. Her expertise and strong track record of exceeding marketing and sales goals, building brands and driving business success makes her a vital part of Redwood Art Group’s senior management.

Jack Mur, Senior Director, Art Advisory at Winston Art Group

Jack brings a background in international art business and art history to the Winston Art Group team. He is currently the Senior Director of Advisory and oversees all acquisition and deaccession projects as well as extensive collection management support to collectors of all tangible personal property.