The news that Emirates National Bank of Dubai had announced a partnership with the Fine Art Fund got the Financial Times curious about the efflorescence of art funds:

The Fine Art Fund Group already has similar relationships with Banco Santander, EFG Eurobank Private Banking and Banca della Svizzera Italiana.

The company, started by Philip Hoffman, a former finance director at Christie’s, said 2010 was its busiest year to date. “What we’re seeing is a huge number of individuals allocating money to art that have never touched art before,” he says.Continue Reading

Philip Hoffman is not pussyfooting around this season’s art sales. He planted a flag with Reuters declaring the top of the art market super strong. You’ll see below that he projects sales 50% above estimate range for the top lots:

“You’re going to see some great prices in New York,” said Philip Hoffman, founder and chief executive officer of The Fine Art Group Fund, an art investment house. “The rare pieces are going to go through the roof Continue Reading