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PREAMBLE

Why a code of conduct for contemporary art collectors?

In the last few decades, the artworld (and beyond) has been going through a significant transformation wherein an increasing number of ethical questions around the role of art and art workers are being posed for discussion. In particular, there is increasing awareness that the art sector has historically operated with a level of disconnect from some of the basics of professional ethics. Consequentially, opacity and power/dependence are often the standard, even though transparency, accountability, integrity, and fairness are necessary in any such large-scale market. As collectors, we have perhaps escaped some of this fundamental questioning, possibly due to our powerful economic position within the sector.

But things are changing fast, and it is now urgent to question some of our practices and enable our role to thrive as positive agents in the artworld. We believe that art constitutes a major public interest with significant potential for social and political affect. This implies that those who own artworks have a set of ethical duties towards such artworks, their authors, and the professional environment surrounding them. We propose this Code of Conduct for Contemporary Art Collectors (the Code) as a first – but firm – step in that direction.

What is the Code?

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

To whom is the Code addressed?

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

Who wrote the Code?

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

A call for action

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

DEFINITIONS

Collector

Any individual, entity, or collective that acquires artworks or art-related materials, other than for commercial resale.

Dealer

Galleries, auction houses, fairs, and other art dealers.

Governance Body

Any governing body with advisory or decision – making powers such as an institutional board or committee; prize, award, or acquisition committee; “friends of” institutions governance committee; advisory board.

Institution

Art related not-for-profit entity or organization, whether public or private, regardless of its size.

Support

Afinancial giving (e.g., monetary grants or donations), artwork donations, artwork loans, financial support to produce an exhibition or an artwork, or any other transfers of value. This definition does not include modest fees paid to join institutional “friends of” or similar associations, when they do not involve advisory or decision-making powers.

THE CODE

1. Interacting With Artists
2. Building, Maintaining, And Showing The Collection
3. Commissioning Or Supporting The Production Of Artworks
4. Supporting Institutions
5. Serving As Members Of Governance Bodies
6. Interacting With Dealers
7. Interacting With Other Professionals
1. Interacting With Artists

1 Collectors interact with artists with integrity and transparency, respecting their views, honoring their independence, recognizing and compensating their work. Collectors never use their power or influence to obtain any undue advantage from the artists, for financial or personal interests.

1 .1. Compensating artists fairly and promptly

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

1 .2. Advocating for fair and prompt compensation for artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

1 .3. Not soliciting gifts from artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

1 .4. Advising artists in their interest

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

1 .5. Communicating respectfully with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

1 .6. Sustaining fair and balanced relationships with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

2. Building, Maintaining, And Showing The Collection

2 Collectors interact with artists with integrity and transparency, respecting their views, honoring their independence, recognizing and compensating their work. Collectors never use their power or influence to obtain any undue advantage from the artists, for financial or personal interests.

2 .1. Compensating artists fairly and promptly

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

2 .2. Advocating for fair and prompt compensation for artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

2 .3. Not soliciting gifts from artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

2 .4. Advising artists in their interest

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

2 .5. Communicating respectfully with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

2 .6. Sustaining fair and balanced relationships with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

3. Commissioning Or Supporting The Production Of Artworks

3 Collectors interact with artists with integrity and transparency, respecting their views, honoring their independence, recognizing and compensating their work. Collectors never use their power or influence to obtain any undue advantage from the artists, for financial or personal interests.

3 .1. Compensating artists fairly and promptly

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

3 .2. Advocating for fair and prompt compensation for artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

3 .3. Not soliciting gifts from artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

3 .4. Advising artists in their interest

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

3 .5. Communicating respectfully with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

3 .6. Sustaining fair and balanced relationships with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

4. Supporting Institutions

Collectors interact with artists with integrity and transparency, respecting their views, honoring their independence, recognizing and compensating their work. Collectors never use their power or influence to obtain any undue advantage from the artists, for financial or personal interests.

4 .1. Compensating artists fairly and promptly

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

4 .2. Advocating for fair and prompt compensation for artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

4 .3. Not soliciting gifts from artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

4 .4. Advising artists in their interest

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

4 .5. Communicating respectfully with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

4 .6. Sustaining fair and balanced relationships with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

5. Serving As Members Of Governance Bodies

5 Collectors interact with artists with integrity and transparency, respecting their views, honoring their independence, recognizing and compensating their work. Collectors never use their power or influence to obtain any undue advantage from the artists, for financial or personal interests.

5 .1. Compensating artists fairly and promptly

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

5 .2. Advocating for fair and prompt compensation for artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

5 .3. Not soliciting gifts from artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

5 .4. Advising artists in their interest

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

5 .5. Communicating respectfully with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

5 .6. Sustaining fair and balanced relationships with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

6. Interacting With Dealers

6 Collectors interact with artists with integrity and transparency, respecting their views, honoring their independence, recognizing and compensating their work. Collectors never use their power or influence to obtain any undue advantage from the artists, for financial or personal interests.

6 .1. Compensating artists fairly and promptly

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

6 .2. Advocating for fair and prompt compensation for artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

6 .3. Not soliciting gifts from artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

6 .4. Advising artists in their interest

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

6 .5. Communicating respectfully with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

6 .6. Sustaining fair and balanced relationships with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

7. Interacting With Other Professionals

7 Collectors interact with artists with integrity and transparency, respecting their views, honoring their independence, recognizing and compensating their work. Collectors never use their power or influence to obtain any undue advantage from the artists, for financial or personal interests.

7 .1. Compensating artists fairly and promptly

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

7 .2. Advocating for fair and prompt compensation for artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

7 .3. Not soliciting gifts from artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

7 .4. Advising artists in their interest

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

7 .5. Communicating respectfully with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

7 .6. Sustaining fair and balanced relationships with artists

Collectors advise artists only when requested, always in the interest of the artists, and not in their own interest or that of their collection.

SELF-ASSESSMENT

The Code invites us to collectively rethink and re-deploy, with sleeves rolled up, the role of contemporary art collectors as socially just, accountable, and transparent agents in the artworld. Take the assessment test to see how you persieve your role.
Take the test to see where you stand

ARTOONS

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Dummy text of the printing.
I am sure that by donating one of your works to my collection you will be greatly honored by being next to other famous artists who I also cajoled into donating their works to me.

Donating works

And now that I have been named board chair of our museum and you are a captive audience, I will take this opportunity to give you an 8-hour walking tour of my collection.

I will only buy the work

I don't know what I want. Can you show me something in that category?

Donating works

TESTIMONIALS

What are they saying?

image

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard.

Óscar Florit

It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.

Hans Ulrich Obrist

Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old.

ENDORSEMENTS

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    CONTACT

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