We are a strategic risk advisory and investigative firm dedicated to the worlds of art, antiquities, cultural property, and high-value collectibles.
The ArtRisk Group’s principals — Jane Levine, Jim Wynne, Jordan Arnold, and Victoria Sears Goldman — stand among the industry's foremost experts, with decades of exceptional service across the private and public sectors, including law enforcement. As long-time, trusted colleagues, we collaborate seamlessly and provide a distinct 360-degree view of risk exposure, addressing even the most challenging corners of the art world.
The ArtRisk Group specializes in theft and fraud investigations, provenance research and due diligence, compliance and collection integrity, security, and litigation support.
Who We Serve
Individual & Corporate Collectors
Artists & Foundations
Auction Houses & Art Fairs
Asset-Backed Lenders & Borrowers
Dealers, Advisors & Galleries
Museums & Cultural Institutions
Law Firms & Parties to Mediation
Insurance Carriers & Brokers
How We Work
Transaction processes in the art world are beset with a host of unique challenges, unlike those faced in standard risk mitigation practices. Only specific attention and expertise can guarantee a deal’s integrity and verify its value. We apply our best-in-class techniques to conduct deep research, offer reliable data, and provide a strong foundation upon which clients can base their decision-making and operate with confidence.
Our investigations cover:
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Collectors (individuals and entities) as buyers, sellers, heirs, donors, and recipients
Dealerships, gallerists, and auctioneers
Advisors and appraisers
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Fine art
Antiquities, ancient artifacts, and cultural property
Collectibles, jewelry, watches, and other valuable items
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Private sales and consignments
Asset-backed collateralizing
Donations and gifts
Practice Areas
Investigations and Recoveries
The ArtRisk Group boasts a unique – and uniquely effective – blend of art market and law enforcement expertise. Our principals have conducted hundreds of art-related specialized investigations, including claims and insurance company matters, stolen and misappropriated works, fraudulent transactions and financing, and asset tracing and recovery. This work is always performed at the highest levels of efficiency and integrity, and backed with robust and reliable evidence. Our skilled approach increases the likelihood of recovery.
Provenance Research and Due Diligence
The importance of verified provenance and documentation for fine art, cultural property, and other collectibles cannot be overstated – or ignored. Collectors, dealers, galleries, auction houses, museums, and appraisers/advisors are under increasing pressure to conduct research into objects, not only at the point of sale or purchase, but in existing collections. Quality provenance and due diligence requires top-notch investigative and analytical skills, extensive art history and industry knowledge, and an appreciation of the risk exposures involved.
Litigation Support
ArtRisk helps resolve disputes and craft pathways to favorable outcomes across a wide range of art and cultural heritage legal matters, including consignment, authenticity, title and ownership, provenance, and financing issues. Our deep understanding of the legal issues involved is surpassed only by the quality of our research and strategic counsel. As a certified mediator, ArtRisk co-founder Jordan Arnold offers clients an opportunity to resolve disputes outside of court.
Regulatory and Legal Compliance
Though it’s been standard practice in other industries for decades, the art market has only recently prioritized financial crimes compliance. ArtRisk is the ideal strategic advisor – our principals have been directly involved in crafting, implementing, and evaluating the field’s best practices and legal standards. Areas of expertise include AML, global sanctions, “Know Your Client” (KYC), beneficial owner regulations, and more.
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A meaningful risk assessment can turn potential pitfalls into strategic advantages. ArtRisk encourages clients to embrace this process in order to meet regulatory standards and build a foundation for healthy risk management. We look into a client’s relevant operations, identify material vulnerabilities, and offer practical strategies to move forward successfully.
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An effective compliance program entails developing, implementing, and updating compliance policies, protocols, and procedures. ArtRisk moves clients away from burdensome and ineffective “check box” exercises, and structures internal protocols that make sense, work, build a foundation of trust and integrity, and ultimately, lead to long-term success and security.
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In intense, fast-paced environments, key staff members should be prepared and equipped to make tough decisions. Compliance education not only helps build this confidence and establish best practices, but is increasingly required under law. Our engaging and effective compliance education programs provide relevant information, tools, guidance, and support that can be applied to everyday operations.
Key compliance areas include:
Compliance Advisory Services
For many art industry organizations, hiring a full-time chief compliance officer is impractical or even impossible. ArtRisk provides a cost-effective way for clients to address compliance within the scope of their resources. Drawing on our knowledge of the complex regulatory landscape, ArtRisk’s professionals supply the key elements of a program tailored to the client’s unique needs and risk profile.
Art Financing Support
Due diligence across all parties is essential in monetizing art and collectibles through asset-backed financing. We investigate and evaluate potential borrowers and lenders, pledged assets, security assessments, fraud prevention techniques, recoveries, and disputes.
Cyber and Information Security
As the world grapples with ongoing technological vulnerabilities, ArtRisk is attuned to the devastating impact cyber threats can have on art market businesses. In addition to familiar concerns like email and digital file compromise, data breaches, and ransomware attacks, the advent of NFTs as a collection category has introduced new opportunities for fraud and deception. ArtRisk, along with our global network of experts, provides customized cybersecurity assessments and implements tailored strategies to secure digital assets.
Physical Security
ArtRisk’s extensive experience in law enforcement and risk consulting informs our approach to physical security risk assessments. Individual and corporate collections, galleries, and museums can rely on ArtRisk security services to identify the strengths and vulnerabilities in protecting objects on display, in storage, and in transit.
Who We Are
The ArtRisk Group co-founders – Jane Levine, Jim Wynne, Jordan Arnold, and Victoria Sears Goldman – have each established remarkable, long-term individual careers. Beyond this unmatched expertise, ArtRisk clients benefit from the special synergy the principals have developed over years working side-by-side on cases of financial crimes and compliance. We have created a uniquely productive, respectful, and successful partnership.