How to determine the value of your artwork

Art appraisals are an important part of owning art, and for protecting your art investment. Below,

you’ll find several professional organization that specialize in art appraisals. They are membership organizations with high professional standards and qualifications for membership. If you need an appraisal or want to learn more about art appraisals, visit their websites.

Always have a current art appraisal. Art values can change quickly and you will need to adjust your insurance coverage to protect your artworks from loss or damage. Also, need a current art appraisal whenever your art is involved in insurance claims, estate tax, charitable donations, when selling the art, or for equitable distribution. There are several kinds of art appraisals, including current value and replacement value. Be sure that you know the difference and get the right type of appraisal to fit your needs. Listed below are some of the most established art appraisal associations.

The American Society of Appraisers is an organization of appraisal professionals and others interested in the appraisal profession. International in structure, it is self-supporting and independent. The oldest and only major appraisal organization representing all of the disciplines of appraisal specialists, the society originated in 1936 and incorporated in 1952. Headquarters is in the Washington, D.C. area.

The oldest Non-Profit professional association of personal property appraisers. Recognize authority

for setting appraisal standards, legal issues and regulation of the appraisal profession. Certified members provide appraisals for fine and decorative arts, jewelry, and household contents.

The Appraisal Foundation, a not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to the advancement of professional valuation, was established by the appraisal profession in the United States in 1987.

Since its inception, the Foundation has worked to foster professionalism in appraising.

For more than 45 years, the ADAA Appraisal Service has appraised works of art for tax purposes. The service has been used by collectors and museums to determine the value of important works of art from old master paintings to contemporary art installations. ADAA appraisals have an outstanding acceptance record with the IRS and are known for their professional quality.

Not-for-profit, member-driven association, formed to support our member needs and serve the public by producing highly qualified and ethical appraisers who are recognized authorities in professional personal property appraising. Our members include many of the country’s most respected independent appraisers, consultants, estate liquidators, auctioneers, gallery owners, and dealers.

Is an organization of sixty established and respected dealers whose various fields of expertise range from Old Masters to Contemporary Art. PADA has instituted its appraisal service to provide appraisals exclusively for accepted donations to charitable organizations and for estate tax purposes. Individual attention is given to each work of art. Fees are very affordable and appraisal costs are fully tax-deductible.

Where to Find an Art Appraiser

This link will take you to our list of professional art appraisers.

Organized by states where the professionals are located and or work.

If you’re an art appraiser and want to be included, click on the How to be Listed link,

located near the bottom of the page.

You can also find art appraisers through the websites of the appraiser organizations listed above on this page. And many of the organizations include other kinds of useful information related to appraisals.

A good option if you’re not located near an appraiser is online appraisals. This can sometimes be the most affordable way to get an appraisal. Mutual Art (we recommend them) and Value my Stuff are two companies for consideration and to look at.

Also for some self education, you might look at the Chicago Appraisers Association .

Their website features numerous articles and a section on Frequently Asked Questions.