Art Investment: Emotional or Economical?

The art market and all its intricacies make it challenging for collectors.

There is a very significant philosophical shift underway in how collectors engage with their art and the broader market. They are increasingly understanding art investments as a key part of their portfolio and are turning to art as a way to diversify their holdings and protect their wealth. This shift has been driven by a number of factors, including the global economic crisis, which has made it clear that traditional investment vehicles are no longer as safe or reliable as they once were.

At the same time, art has continued to outperform other asset classes, making it an increasingly attractive option for those looking to preserve and grow their wealth. While art has been traded as a commodity for centuries, the notion of art as an asset class is relatively new, only gaining mainstream attention in the past few decades. However, art has distinctive features that make it an attractive investment: it is portable, meaning it can be easily bought and sold; art prices are largely driven by intangible factors such as aesthetics and prestige, which makes them less volatile than stocks and other financial assets; and finally, art can be stored cheaply and without insurance costs. For all these reasons, art has increasingly been seen as a viable investment option by individuals and institutions alike.

Art Investment Specialist Evan Beard Shares His Expertise

As a result, we are seeing more and more collectors taking a long-term view of art investments and considering them as part of their overall financial strategy. Evan Beard, the Global Art Services Executive with Bank of America, explains that there is a very significant philosophical shift underway in how collectors engage with their art and the broader market and how they understand art investments.

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Speakers

Evan Beard

Evan Beard is the Global Art Services Executive with U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management. Headquartered in New York City, Evan leads the bank’s outreach to private and institutional art collectors, investors and artists nationwide. He directs a team of specialists who provide a suite of tailored offerings to a select group of families, auction houses, museums, endowments and...

Meet the Expert