PRIVATE ART CONSULTING
Ballard Fine Art specializes in bespoke art consultancy and advisory services tailored for discerning clients, lovers of art, seasoned art collectors, and art investors. We facilitate the buying and selling of artworks with unparalleled discretion and professionalism, grounded in our extensive market knowledge and deep industry connections. We provide access to exclusive artworks, refined curation and guidance, and dependable valuations for our clients.
We excel at crafting tailored strategies to meet the objectives of each of our Private Art clients. Whether acquiring, selling, donating, relocating or conducting other arts management activities, our process is meticulous and carefully considered.
Our commitment to client care extends far beyond transactions. Leveraging our extensive network, we offer a comprehensive suite of services, including appraisals, documentation, record keeping, estate planning, art strategy, shipping, storage, installation, conservation, and more. Our goal is to provide an all-encompassing experience, meeting the full spectrum of our clients' art collection needs.
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Doug LaFortune, Bear and Cub
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Marcel Dzama, The Good Guys, 2002
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Installation view (Guido Molinari, Andrew Dadson)
ARTWORK ACQUISITION SERVICES
We provide expert guidance and facilitate the acquisition of both historical and contemporary artworks. Whether you are interested in acquiring a single piece or building an extensive collection over time, our services are tailored to meet your specific needs and aspirations.
BUYING ARTWORK
Our approach to art acquisitions and advisory is highly personalized, rooted in a deep understanding of art and the market. We prioritize ensuring that you not only appreciate the artwork but also find pieces that align with your tastes, space requirements, and budget. Our extensive knowledge of artists and market trends enables us to offer well-researched, reliable options for purchasing artwork. With long-standing relationships with galleries, artists, estates, and collections, we provide exclusive access to exceptional artworks through our robust network.
ART COLLECTION PLANNING
We cater to both seasoned collectors and those new to the art world. For new collectors, we offer personalized consultations to navigate the complexities of starting an art collection, ensuring that each acquisition is a thoughtful and informed decision.
ART PLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION
Ballard Fine Art provides professional curation for the placement and installation of your artworks, ensuring they are displayed to their best advantage and integrated seamlessly into your space.
ARTWORK DEACCESSION SERVICES
SELLING ARTWORK
With over 60 years of combined experience in the Canadian and international art markets, our team expertly facilitates the sale of individual artworks or entire collections. We have a network of clients actively seeking to acquire artworks and collections, allowing us to connect sellers with serious buyers. All transactions through Ballard Fine Art are conducted with the utmost confidentiality, ensuring your privacy and the integrity of your sale.
THE PROCESS OF SELLING ART
The process of selling artwork begins with a meeting to discuss the selling process and general terms. To begin, we generally require these pieces of information about the work or works:
The artist’s name
The title, date, and size of the work
Images of the front and back of the work
The artwork’s provenance (if available)
Based on the information provided, Ballard Fine Art can determine a current value for your artwork or artwork collection. We offer custom services to position your artwork for the best possible results, including:
Researching, documenting, and preparing a brief on the artwork or collection
Appraising the current Fair Market Value of the artwork or collection
DEACCESSION AND DONATION ADVISING
We offer guidance on deaccessioning and donating artworks, helping clients navigate these sensitive processes with confidence and care. Whether you are looking to refine your collection or make a charitable contribution, we tailor our strategic advice to your unique objectives. With a thorough understanding of the art market, tax considerations, and CCPERB certification, we provide a deaccessioning or donation strategy that is informed and beneficial. Our services include thorough documentation, valuation, and coordination with institutions or charitable organizations, all conducted with discretion and respect for your privacy.
ARTWORK ESTATE MANAGEMENT
At Ballard Fine Art, we offer specialized services for art estates, ensuring that the legacy of your collection is preserved. We provide planning, appraisals, and strategic advice, and work closely with executors and heirs to facilitate the sale, donation, or retention of art pieces, prioritizing the best interests of the estate and its beneficiaries. Our expertise and personalized approach guarantees that every art estate is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.
ARTWORK APPRAISALS
Ballard Fine Art provides appraisals for artwork, adhering to professional practices and standards. With decades of experience in the formal process of appraising artworks, we provide accurate and thoroughly researched appraisals for your artwork.
REASONS TO OBTAIN AN ART APPRAISAL
There are many different reasons to obtain an appraisal for your artwork, including:
Insurance Coverage: many insurers require regularly updated current values on your artwork collection to ensure proper coverage.
Property Settlements: to ensure a fair division of assets for estate or divorce purposes.
Reselling of Artwork: if you are considering selling artwork that you own, an appraisal is a key to determine the artwork’s current market value.
Donating Artwork: for tax purposes, an appraisal is usually required to determine the fair market value of the artwork.
Collection Management: to keep values of your art collection updated assists in maintaining accuracy of inventory records.
For our Private Art Consulting and Advisory services, please contact us to discuss your needs.
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B.C. Binning (detail)
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Wayne Ngan, ceramic vessels
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B.C. Binning, Sea People Sighting the Sun, 1957
FAQ
WHAT IS ARTWORK PROVENANCE?
Provenance refers to the documented history of an artwork's ownership. For a privately owned piece, it includes a chronological record of previous owners, purchase dates, and locations. Provenance helps verify authenticity, establish the artwork's historical significance, and can impact its value. It often involves receipts, auction records, gallery and exhibition catalogues, and sometimes written testimonials. Detailed provenance can provide insights into the artwork's journey and how it has been preserved and displayed over time, adding to its narrative and cultural importance.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO DEACCESSION AN ARTWORK?
Deaccessioning an artwork from a private collection means formally removing it from the collector's holdings. This process involves careful consideration of the artwork's relevance, condition, and value. Reasons for deaccessioning include changing tastes, financial needs, or making space for new acquisitions. The decision can be guided by an art advisor or appraiser to ensure the plans align with the collector's goals. Deaccessioned artworks may be sold at auction, through galleries, or privately.
WHAT IS FAIR MARKET VALUE?
In the context of artwork, Fair Market Value is based on comparable private and auction sales, if available. In Canada, the CRA has this definition for Fair Market Value: “Fair market value is normally the highest price, expressed in dollars, that property would bring in an open and unrestricted market, between a willing buyer and a willing seller who are both knowledgeable, informed, and prudent, and who are acting independently of each other.”