Museum and Corporate Collection Services
We recognise that every institution is unique. Our team implements best practices honed over our decades-long history, and we understand that the scope and goals of each project are singular and specific. We craft solutions tailored to each institution’s particular needs, serving as a partner at every stage.
Collection management
Christie’s is pleased to assist our institutional partners with all steps of the collection management process. We present artworks in the marketplace to maximize their potential, while partnering with each institution to ensure a clear message reflective of its goals is communicated around the sales.
We also assist institutions and corporate collections with acquisitions through both auction and private sale. We keep 'wish lists' so that we can provide generous advance notice when relevant works will be appearing on the market. We have knowledge of artworks in private collections throughout the world and often approach collectors who may be interested in selling privately to institutions.
Financial opportunities
We offer a range of financial options to facilitate institutions’ unique needs. We are pleased to discuss extended payment plans and preferential terms to institutions for loans through Christie’s Art Finance and third-party guarantee opportunities.
Appraisals
Christie’s provides appraisals for a variety of purposes, including insurance and fair market value for financial planning. In addition, we help with the Federal Indemnity process. Our team handles numerous indemnity appraisals each year, with recent highlights including Mary Cassatt at Work at the Philadelphia Museum of Art; Monet and Venice at the Brooklyn Museum and Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; Picasso in Fontainebleau at the Museum of Modern Art; and Krasner and Pollock: Past Continuous at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Loan requests
Christie’s maintains an unparalleled network of top collectors around the world. We are pleased to use this knowledge to match institutions seeking works for upcoming exhibitions with collectors who are interested in placing their art on view for public enrichment and enjoyment.
Special events and programs
Christie’s offers a broad spectrum of programming to suit your institution’s individual needs. Our specialists around the world regularly take part in lectures and symposia, and many also serve as charity auctioneers, helping to raise millions each year in support of various causes. We frequently host museum groups for exclusive tours, work with museum staff to create bespoke events for top patrons, and secure access to global private collections for exclusive tours. We also partner on fundraising events at Christie’s, online, or at your institution, and host museum board meetings in our galleries and boardrooms around the world.
Philanthropy
Christie’s is proud to support philanthropic initiatives through our networks, whether by facilitating the sale of artwork to benefit important causes, offering our salerooms as a venue for fundraising events, or providing expert charity auctioneers.
Research
Our beautifully illustrated, exceptionally well-researched sales information can serve as useful reference materials, providing scholarly background for upcoming exhibitions or for use as a guide to future acquisitions.