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5 Questions with Art Advisor & Podcast Host, Adam Green

Mar 27, 2025

As fans of the ArtTactic Podcast, we figured it was finally time to get to know the man behind all those interviews. Aside from hosting the Podcast, we also know him as the founder of Adam Green Art Advisory, offering comprehensive, tailored services to support collectors at every stage of their journey. But with more than 15 years of experience in the art world, there is surely so much more to learn about Adam.

So now, after years of listening to him interview influential art market figures on everything from general topics about the global art industry to art investing, it’s his turn to be interviewed.

1AN: Your career began at Christie’s before launching your own advisory firm. What insights from your time at the auction house have shaped your approach to advising collectors today?

Adam Green: My time at Christie’s was foundational in shaping how I approach art advising today. Working at one of the world’s leading auction houses for nearly a decade provided an unparalleled education. I gained firsthand experience analyzing market trends and navigating the complexities of pricing, demand, and collector behavior. Being immersed in this environment sharpened my ability to assess market conditions, identify opportunities, and strategically guide acquisitions and sales.

One of the most valuable aspects of my time at Christie’s was learning how to operate within the art market in a professional and ethical way. The art market is largely unregulated, which means that standards and best practices can vary widely. However, at Christie’s, I was trained to prioritize transparency, due diligence, and integrity. This foundation has been invaluable in my own advisory practice, ensuring that my clients acquire great works with confidence and clarity. If any potential issues arise, I am able to identify and address them before they become a problem.

Another crucial aspect of working at an auction house was the opportunity to build relationships with a vast network of individuals across the industry. An auction house is one of the largest employers in the art world, and many of my former colleagues have since gone on to make significant contributions across the industry. Because of this, I now have an extensive network that keeps me deeply connected within the art market. These relationships are essential in my role as an advisor, whether I am sourcing works for clients, conducting due diligence, or staying ahead of market trends.

Ultimately, my experience at Christie’s gave me both the market expertise and the ethical framework to operate at the highest level. I take pride in working hard, being strategic, and advising clients in a way that aligns with their goals while upholding the standards I learned at one of the most respected institutions in the industry.

1AN: Speaking of aligning clients with their collecting goals, you specialize in sourcing investment-quality post-war and contemporary art. How do you guide collectors in striking the right balance between acquiring works for financial appreciation versus personal passion?

Adam Green: I help clients acquire artworks for their collections in three key ways. First, I facilitate acquisitions on the primary market, leveraging my relationships with galleries to secure high-quality examples by artists we are interested in. Second, I broker private transactions, utilizing my network to identify and secure examples that are not publicly available for sale. Third, I assist clients in acquiring works at auction, advising them on bidding strategies, valuations, and how to approach competitive sales effectively. In each case, I work collaboratively with my clients, evaluating the quality of each work within the artist’s practice and considering how it fits within their collection.

When it comes to balancing personal passion with investment potential, all of my clients care about both. Given the financial scale of these acquisitions, it is important to ensure that the work holds real value. This involves assessing demand, understanding the trajectory of the artist’s career, and ensuring that their market is supported by strong institutional and collector interest. I consider several factors, including whether museum curators are engaged with the artist’s work, whether the artist’s gallery is managing their career effectively to ensure long-term success, and whether respected collectors are invested in their market.

At the same time, my clients collect because they are passionate about art. They enjoy living with the works they acquire and many of my clients take great pleasure in engaging with the artists they collect, supporting their careers, and building meaningful relationships with galleries. They also appreciate the experience of attending openings, fairs, and museum exhibitions. Collecting is not just a financial endeavor for them, but rather a deeply rewarding experience that allows them to participate in and contribute to the cultural conversation. My role is to help them navigate this world with confidence, ensuring that they acquire works that align with their collecting goals while also making informed and strategic decisions.

1AN: Makes perfect sense! And how about this shift with growing access to online platforms and direct sales from artists? How has this affected the value of an art advisor, if at all? If your role has evolved as a result, please explain how.

Adam Green: The rise of online platforms, including social media like Instagram and various ecommerce websites, has been beneficial to the art world. Historically, the art market has been opaque and difficult to access. Now, with so much visibility online, the market has become far more accessible, particularly for newer collectors. Also, collectors are able to educate themselves more easily by engaging with a vast amount of art digitally. While nothing compares to the experience of seeing art in person, the ability to discover and follow artists, track trends, and engage with artists from anywhere in the world has transformed how people collect.

As an advisor, this shift has enhanced my role rather than diminished its value. My process with my clients is very collaborative and with collectors having greater exposure to art through social media and online platforms, many of my clients share discoveries with me, whether it is an artist they came across or a work they find compelling. My role has evolved to help filter and contextualize this wealth of information, ensuring that my clients focus on the right opportunities, assess quality effectively, and acquire works that align with their collections.

Regarding direct acquisitions from artists, I typically do not acquire works directly from artists. While there are occasional exceptions, such as working with artists who are not yet represented or who are in transition between representation, the vast majority of the artists I pursue work with one or, in many cases, multiple galleries. These artists rely on their galleries to manage their sales, relationships with collectors, and long-term career development.

1AN: OK, I also wanted to ask you about the ArtTactic Podcast. As the host, you’ve had in-depth conversations with key players across the industry. What are the most compelling trends shaping the post-war and contemporary art market right now?

Adam Green: I have been hosting the ArtTactic Podcast since 2009, making it one of the longest-running podcasts dedicated to the art market. My interest in podcasts began while I was studying at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London in 2007. Living abroad, I relied on podcasts to stay updated on American sports. When I entered the art market professionally in 2008, in the midst of a recession, I wanted deeper conversations with industry professionals, beyond the short, self-serving quotes often found in news articles. This led me to launch the ArtTactic Podcast, where I have since interviewed thousands of figures across the art world, including gallerists, artists, curators, and auction house executives.

One of the most significant trends shaping the market today is the impact of online platforms, particularly Instagram. Social media has made the art world more accessible, transforming how collectors discover and engage with art while also influencing how artists present themselves and their work. Another major conversation in the industry is the debate around art fairs. The growing number of fairs has led to increasing discussions about their necessity and sustainability. While fairs remain critical for galleries to connect with collectors, the financial and logistical burdens have caused galleries to be more selective about which fairs they participate in. Another trend over the past several years is the art market’s expanding geographic reach. New markets in India, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and others are emerging as key players. These regions are investing heavily in museums, biennials, and fairs, attracting international galleries and collectors while strengthening their own local art scenes.

1AN: Clearly, you’ve built ArtTactic into a leading platform for art market discussions. How has hosting the podcast influenced your work as an advisor, and what have been some of the most surprising insights from your interviews?

Adam Green: Hosting the ArtTactic Podcast has had a profound impact on my work as an art advisor. Over the years, I have developed relationships with a wide range of people in the art world, both through my guests and listeners. My guests, including gallerists, artists, curators, collectors, and auction house executives, have provided valuable insights that inform how I help my clients navigate the market. Beyond my guests, the podcast has allowed me to connect with listeners from around the world, including collectors, industry professionals, artists, and enthusiasts.

Additionally, hosting the podcast has helped establish me as a knowledgeable voice in the art market. While that was never my original intent, these conversations have contributed to my visibility as an advisor and strengthened my brand. The podcast has allowed me to engage with the broader art community and build trust with collectors and industry professionals who value expertise and transparency.

One of the most surprising insights I have taken away from these conversations is how much the art market is still built on relationships. Despite advances in technology and data, personal connections and trust remain at the core of how the industry operates. Ultimately, hosting the podcast has reinforced the importance of staying engaged with the broader art ecosystem. It has allowed me to maintain strong relationships, stay ahead of market developments, and ensure that I bring both expertise and a broad perspective to my clients.

Connect with Adam Green here!