This Code of Conduct is a statement of my professional values put into practice. It’s a recognition that everything I do in connection with my work as an art advisor/private curator will be, and should be, measured against the highest possible standards of ethical conduct.
Rules
I want clients to value my practice because I get great results, operate ethically, and treat others with respect. Keeping the following principles in mind helps me to maintain high standards.
1. Integrity: Building genuine relationships as an art advisor is based on trust, transparency, and prioritizing each client’s interests. I will walk away from problematic projects and clients and maintain the highest ethical standards. Trust is my most valuable as well as my most fragile currency.
2. Usefulness: My services, guided by the principle ‘Do they help the client?’, aim to be useful to a diverse client base, ranging from individuals to large businesses. I will work to continually improve them.
3. Honesty + Responsiveness: Relevant client feedback will receive an honest and timely response. I will also be honest about my access to artworks, the availability of artworks, and steer clear of speculative deals that expose clients to unnecessary risk.
4. Privacy + Security: I ask each client to trust me with their property and personal information. Earning and preserving that trust requires that I respect and protect the privacy of their information and the safety of their property.
5. Avoid Overcrowded Deals: I will not get involved in transactions that involve too many players. I insist on direct conversation with the buyer or seller when possible. If someone refuses to disclose their role or the identity of key parties, it is often a sign that they are not in control of the deal.
6. Steer Clear of Dishonest Players: To mitigate risk, I refuse to work with dishonest players. If I believe someone is being dishonest—whether it is about their connections, their ability to secure artworks, or their payment terms—I will cut ties with them, rather than become entangled in a deal that could unravel disastrously.
I will treat everyone respectfully, fairly, and compassionately regardless of who they are.
I will do everything I can to avoid conflicts of interest and circumstances that present the appearance of a conflict of interest.
1. Personal Relationships: Certain relationships may compromise or appear to compromise my ability to represent my clients responsibly, creating uncomfortable or conflicted positions and raising issues of fairness. I will be mindful of how my relationships could impact my practice and be perceived by others.
2. Accepting Gifts: Entertainment and other business courtesies from artists, gallerists, auctioneers, wealth managers, and others can create the appearance of a conflict of interest, especially if the item’s value is significant. I will not be a party to these kinds of exchanges.
Disclosing private information can hurt clients and undermine their trust in our work relationship. Confidential information will be kept private.
1. Confidentiality: Information classified as “Need to Know” or “Confidential” is handled with great care. When a project or negotiation requires sharing Need to Know or Confidential Information with an outside party, it will be done on a need-to-know basis and under a non-disclosure agreement.
2. Outside Communications: Proprietary information will not be shared through emails, the SAAS website, or social media posts. The same applies to communications with the press.
Financial integrity and fiscal responsibility are core aspects of operating a business ethically. Financial negotiations handled on behalf of clients will be private and accurate records will be maintained. I will comply with legal, accounting, tax, and other regulatory requirements.
1. Signing Contracts: Each time I enter into a business transaction, there will be documentation recording that agreement. All contracts will be in writing and contain the relevant terms to which the parties are agreeing.
2. Hiring Suppliers: As the practice (SAAS) grows, I will negotiate more and more deals with artists, suppliers of services, and others on my client’s behalf. I will always strive to secure the best possible deal for my clients by soliciting competing bids. While price is very important, it isn’t the only factor worth considering. Quality, service, reliability, and the terms and conditions of the proposed services may also affect the final decision.
3. Retaining Records: Project documents and financial records will be kept for an appropriate period of time.
The intellectual property rights of artists and collectors will be respected, as the inappropriate use of others’ intellectual property may expose me to criminal and civil fines and penalties. I will seek advice and the owner’s consent before soliciting, accepting, or using proprietary images and information that belongs to individuals or organizations outside the advisory.
It is my responsibility to comply with laws and regulations. While it’s impossible for me to know every applicable law, I make every effort to generally familiarize myself with, understand, and follow laws and regulations the apply to my work as an art advisor.
1. Bribes: I will not bribe anybody or accept a bribe from anyone at anytime for any reason.
2. Non-government Relationships: I will avoid situations where gifts, entertainment, meals, or other business courtesies could be perceived as a bribe.
3. Dealing with Government Officials: Offering gifts and other business courtesies that could be perceived as bribes is problematic when dealing with a government official. “Government officials” include any government employee; candidate for public office; or employee of government-owned or -controlled companies, public international organizations, or political parties. Several international laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act, specifically prohibit offering or giving anything of value to government officials to influence official action or to secure an improper advantage. This includes traditional gifts and things like meals, travel, contributions, and job offers for government officials’ relatives.
The U.S. The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act prohibits giving gifts, travel, and other courtesies to Members, Officers, and employees of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives unless they fit within one of a number of specific exceptions. Gifts to employees of the U.S. executive branch are also regulated and subject to limits. Finally, state and local government officials in the U.S. are also subject to additional legal restrictions.
Art advising, while rewarding, has many pitfalls. Fees, compensation, misinformation, and the industry’s lack of transparency are chief among them. My practice will maintain transparent fees and provide a clear compensation structure to ensure clients that I am operating with integrity and protecting my clients’ interests, as well as my own.
1. Fee Transparency: All projects will have clear agreements and signed contracts that define my role, outline my commission structure, and specify payment terms. These are necessary components to ensure fairness and prevent disputes.
2. Due Diligence: I will take reasonable steps to investigate the legitimacy of artworks and individuals involved in private transactions, including scrutinizing ownership histories, checking auction records, and checking in to potential legal disputes.
The path towards sustainability invites us all to reimagine how we work, live, and interact with the planet and each other. I will actively seek out projects that embrace values central to sustainability, such as ethical leadership, environmental stewardship, sustainable design, equity, and inclusion.