Paul Becker: Last Word
Founder & CEO of Art Money
HOW DID YOU CONCEIVE OF THE IDEA OF ART MONEY?
PB/ I felt it was just too hard to engage with and buy art. I saw an inefficient art ‘market’ where buyers (collectors, new buyers) and sellers (artists, galleries) want the same thing, however outdated business practices were limiting the potential of this wonderful industry. I thought I could do something about that. I’m keen to help build a sustainable creative economy through a win-win business model.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN AT THE HEART OF ART MONEY’S SUCCESS?
PB/ We are solving a real problem. Our starting point is our genuine interest in supporting artists and the art world ecosystem. All our team are art people and the change we are bringing to this industry is driven by the interests of the art community. Our solutions make it easier for buyers (at any level) to say yes, and for artists and galleries to earn income, without which it is not possible to create art and impact our culture.
TELL US ABOUT THE GROWTH OF ART MONEY? IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN RAPID, HAS THIS BEEN MANAGEABLE?
PB/ Any start-up has both opportunities and challenges, I see them as flip sides of the same coin. Bringing culture change to a deeply conservative industry (in its business practices) means we have faced many challenges. We embrace them. ‘Rapid’ is a relative term, I tend to focus on what’s ahead and the huge potential to make positive change in this industry we all love. As we’ve grown, we’ve adapted, particularly in new countries like the US. I believe if you are passionate enough about something, anything is manageable - you find a way.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT – ABOUT PEOPLE AND ABOUT ART?
PB/ That buying art is about psychology not affordability. That founders & artists share many characteristics. For example, both the idea and the execution (making) are critical - neither alone is sufficient. That Australian art offers incredible value by world standards (I’ve spent the last 3.5 years in NYC). Our artists are world class, yet price points are incredibly low. A great value proposition for buyers, not so good for artists/sellers. We need to change this in order to support and grow the creative economy in Australia.
Sullivan+strumpf is an Art Money partner. Contact the gallery for more information.
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