Collection Management

We provide a holistic approach to collection management from the first acquisition through to its legacy. Working in concert with the objectives of the collection and alongside our vision and principles of cohesion and strength, sustainability and diversity, we employ best practice and proven strategies throughout the lifecycle of a collection. Working across both the primary and secondary markets, collection management services comprise: 

• Development of collection policy and parameters

• Acquisition & deaccession protocols & strategies

• Pre-purchase & pre-sale assessments

• Access to and sourcing of in demand artists and artworks

• Negotiation and management of artwork commissions

• Management of third party transaction & documentation

• Auction agency, bidding & consignment negotiation

• Art asset management protocols

• Collection development & enhancement strategies

• CMS catalogue & inventory management

• Facilitation of museum artwork loans

• Regular audits incl artwork condition

• Conservation and restoration recommendations

• Insurance solutions

• Coordination of logistics including storage, framing and installation

• Estate and succession planning, gifting and donations

Private Sales

High value off-market private sales require astute management and facilitation. Experience and understanding of the often-complex process is vital, from proposal through to submission of an offer, to a sales agreement, to viewing and completion of the transaction. Comprehensive due diligence including establishment of clear legal title, unencumbered status, confirmation of provenance, price & market research, condition assessment, review of condition report, and viewing conditions, comprise our private sales protocols. Our priorities are:

• to provide a seamless process in the management of private off market sales and acquisitions, whether this comprises incorporating geographic arbitrage and regional art strategies, or identifying market opportunities, we look to prioritising the needs and objectives of collectors.

• a high touch methodology from initial market appraisal of the subject artwork to post-sale reporting and analysis, ensuring collectors are kept informed throughout the entire period.

• to consider multiple categories, regions, and sales channels to ensure the subject artwork is either offered at the optimal price and platform or acquired at the best available price and from the most provenance--endowed source.

• to transact with the end-buyer or seller, or their vetted and mandated advisor/curator or agent. 

Valuations

With access to extensive art and auction record databases and indices, primary and secondary market price history and more than 26 years of industry knowledge, our valuation reports adhere to globally set industry standards of best practice and provide a professional perspective on the collection.  

We have undertaken numerous and varied valuations, with inventories from less than 20 artworks, upwards to collections of more than 1000 objects.  Collection values have ranged from less than AU$500K to more than AU$50m.

Areas of expertise stretch across all areas of the global art market and multi-disciplinary contemporary art practices, including painting, sculpture, works on paper and multiples (graphics and photography), for the following categories:

• Australian modernist and contemporary painting, sculpture, works on paper & multiples (graphics & photography)

• Australian Indigenous contemporary paintings & works on paper (esp. Papunya Tula, Utopia & Kimberley).

• International Modern, Post-war, and Contemporary painting, sculpture, works on paper & multiples (British, American & Central-European);

• East Asian Contemporary painting, sculpture & works on paper;

Tailored valuations are available for:

• Insurance

• Superannuation

• Financial reporting

• Asset Validation

• Liquidation reports

• Estate planning 

• Family Law property negotiations.