Overview
This course offers students the opportunity to develop an understanding of Art as an Asset Class, a recent, 21st Century phenomena, with surprising roots in earlier periods and cultures.
This course provides a history and understanding of the how and why art became broadly accepted as a separate financial asset class, with practical knowledge for understanding types of art investments, and their role in modern portfolio theory and as a hedge in times of rising inflation; how art is and is not correlated with other asset classes, the risks and rewards of art investments, the role of liquidity in the market, and the risks of black swan events and market dislocations. More importantly, the course will address the criticism of art investment in the current higher interest rate environment and in times of art market down turns as well as provide direct insight into the Inigo Philbrick/Athena legal case of fraudulent conveyance.
Additionally, we will cover why some art investment vehicles have been successful and others not. The course will address art financing, the types of it available in the marketplace and under what terms and conditions.
Learning outcomes:
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of fine art as an asset class from a specialist with extensive experience in the field
- Learn about art lending, investment risks, and ascertaining value
- Benefit from inside knowledge of iconic historical precedents and learn about the future of art as an asset class
- Distinguish between realistic and overstated claims of potential art investment pitches
- Develop an awareness for fraudulent ownership claims
Academic Profile
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Michael Plummer
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Michael has been an entrepreneur in the art business sector. He was the founder and co-owner of Spring Masters which he transformed into the TEFAF New York Art Fairs in 2016, which gained recognition for their critical and commercial success. He is the current Development Director of an art and design fair launching in Scottsdale, Arizona in March 2025.
Previously, Michael served as Chief Operating Officer of Christie's Financial Services, where he led in the development of art funds and art lending facilities. Prior to that he held executive positions at Sotheby’s auction house. Michael remains one of the industry's leading speakers on art investing and business trends and has lectured at New York University, Sotheby's Institute of Art, and The Wharton School. Currently, Michael is the instructor of Christie's "Investing in Art: Art as an Asset Class" course and hosts the Jetstream Podcast for Christie’s Education discussing important trends in the art market with industry thought leaders. He has a Bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and resides in New York City.
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