art services: how we can help

How we can help

As advisors, authors, brokers, collectors, curators, investors, and researchers, we work with new and existing collectors, helping them understand the market with clarity and honesty. We engage in conversation and debate to build distinguished personal collections and make wise investments in art. linn press llc is a different art advisory firm with deep skills and broad knowledge of post-War art. (See partner profiles.)

Seeing the forest for the trees

Buying art is easy. Collecting art is not. Investing in art is even more difficult.

As advisors, our goal is to provide an art experience that is gratifying—emotionally, intellectually, and financially. We work with clients to develop collections of distinction that reflect evolving interests and tastes. We are not satisfied with the status quo, cookie-cutter collections that are accumulations of popular artist brands or auction trophies. We present a mix of things—ideas and objects—that stimulate our clients and enliven their homes and offices. If our clients are interested in art investments, we work closely with them to make strategic decisions with the goal of asset appreciation. We have partnered on several art acquisitions.

We do many things. Foremost, we nurture the collector’s spirit with education and exposure. We encourage—and often accompany—our clients to visit gallery and museum exhibitions and to a lesser degree attend top-tier art fairs. We suggest articles, books, films and videos to see. (Information and education are foremost.) The art market requires different kinds of information. We deal with both qualitative and quantitative issues, which are complex calculus in the art market.

We meet with our clients to discuss budgets and objectives. Once artwork has been identified for purchase we:

• Analyze pricing

• Assess value

• Negotiate transactions

• Verify invoicing

• Coordinate shipping and handling

• Help, as requested, with installation or storage

• Manage evolving collections using state-of-the-art applications.

We are experienced specialists with demonstrable credentials. For our collector services, we typically use a combination of stair-step commissions and—at times—hourly fees, which are discussed in advance of any activity. We also work on retainer, which can be advisable for longer-term projects and relationships. We only charge direct, agreed-upon expenses. Our investor services are governed by a specific set of principles and mutually beneficial criteria.