Against the backdrop of the world’s leading art market, the 17th annual Deloitte Private Art & Finance Conference took place in New York City on 4 November, hosted at Citi Global Headquarters. The event brought together international thought leaders and prominent minds from the worlds of private banking & family offices, art & collectibles, culture, innovation, finance and law to examine new models of cultural and financial stewardship.

Returning to New York City after ten years, the prestigious Deloitte Private conference has previously been held in major world cities including Paris, London, Milan, Amsterdam, Monaco, Vatican City, and Rome, reflecting both the inaternational reach of the discussions and Deloitte’s strong commitment to broadening access to this global conference. 

Sponsored by Citi, ARTE Generali, Art Recognition, and Bonhams, the conference, organized by Deloitte Luxembourg and Deloitte US, featured prominent voices from across Europe and the Americas, reinforcing its unique role as an exclusive hub where ideas on art, wealth management and culture converge.

“Art and finance were once distant disciplines. Today, they share the same vocabulary of value, trust, and legacy,” said John Psaila, CEO and Managing Partner of Deloitte Luxembourg. “At Deloitte, we seek to interpret that language with the same care collectors apply to their art: connecting reason with emotion, stewardship with innovation, and wealth with purpose. The conversations held in New York reflect our belief that progress in either field is only real when it serves both.”

Three major themes shaped the 2025 conference:

• Innovation at the intersection of art and finance

With around USD 2,5 trillion of wealth allocated to art and collectibles by UHNWIs, panel discussions explored how AI and other disruptive digital tools are transforming the valuation, authentication, circulation and fractional ownership  in art. Sessions also examined innovative financing methods, such as art-secured lending, highlighting how financial practices are adapting to integrate these creative assets, but also the hot topic of art as a financial investment. 

• The Great Wealth Transfer and impact investing

With an estimated USD 100 billion of art and collectible wealth transfers per year from one generation to the next, several sessions focused on how new generations of investors are reshaping philanthropy and wealth management. Participants explored impact-driven approaches that combine cultural investment with broader ESG and societal goals, redefining how wealth can drive meaningful change. 

• Art as a capital asset class: Driving diversity and community resilience

Panelists emphasized how art is emerging as a strategic component of modern portfolios. Discussions highlighted the role of art in supporting cultural institutions, education, and creative leadership, while reinforcing resilient, community-driven cultural ecosystems through both investment and philanthropic actions. 

“The integration of art and collectibles has transitioned from a niche to an increasingly central component of defining and diversifying a legacy,” noted Wolfe Tone, US Deloitte Private & Emerging Client Portfolio Leader. “The findings of this year’s Art & Finance Report highlight that next-generation investors are blending financial performance with purpose and cultural stewardship and reshaping the strategic approach to private wealth management. The report findings indicate how the market is navigating this shift — leveraging art not only as an asset, but as a bridge between financial growth and broader personal and social impact.” 

The full-day annual hybrid event featured four panels and more than 25 speakers, attracting over 700 participants registered both onsite and online. 

Exclusive 9th edition of the 2025 Deloitte Private and ArtTactic Art & Finance Report

The highlight of the day was the launch of the 2025 Deloitte Private & ArtTactic Art & Finance Report, already in its 9th edition. 

Spanning over 500 pages, the digital report offers in-depth analysis of evolving attitudes among collectors, including next-gen, family offices, private bankers, and art professionals. Drawing on nearly 500 surveys and 30 articles and contributions from industry professionals, it highlights the growing importance of art as a wealth-building asset and explains why wealth managers should pay close attention to the collectibles market. 

The report also explores how art is increasingly integrated into broader wealth management and impact strategies. Key insights include the rising influence of next-generation collectors, the expansion of art-secured lending, the ongoing debate on art as investment, and the opportunities and challenges presented by digital innovation and AI in the art market—topics that were also explored throughout the conference. 

“As global collectors and institutions rethink the purpose of wealth, art is emerging as both an asset and a catalyst for social transformation. This year’s conference brings together experts from finance, law, philanthropy and the arts to explore the evolving language of value,” stated Adriano Picinati di Torcello, Global Art & Finance Coordinator at Deloitte Luxembourg.

For the full 9th Deloitte Private and ArtTactic Art & Finance Report, visit this page.