TEFAF Launches Digital Platform and Online Art Market Report

TEFAF, the renowned art fair based in Maastricht, Netherlands, has introduced a digital initiative with the launch of the Art Market Report Online Focus in London. This report analyzes the adoption of digital technologies in the art world. TEFAF, known for its annual TEFAF Art Market Report since 2002, is expanding into research on new sector trends. The fair also presents TEFAF TEN, a collaboration with Invaluable, creating a dedicated page on Invaluable's site (3 million monthly visitors) where 10 exhibitors periodically offer 8 to 12 works for immediate sale. The first participants are the 93 exhibitors of TEFAF New York Fall 2016, held October 28–November 1 at Park Avenue Armory. Ten new exhibitors from Spain, Germany, France, Hong Kong, UK, US, and Austria join. Despite experiments by Artsy and Invaluable, no leader in online art sales has emerged. 20% of dealers surveyed by TEFAF refuse to engage with digital tools, and one-third operate entirely offline. Online sales remain modest, targeting lower price brackets, but the phenomenon is growing, especially among younger collectors. TEFAF's digital push includes leveraging e-commerce to reach new buyers.