United Talent Agency Launches Fine Arts Division to Manage Visual Artists' Careers

United Talent Agency, based in Beverly Hills, has introduced UTA Fine Arts, a new division aimed at managing the careers of visual artists, as reported by The Wall Street Journal on 12 February 2015. The agency, known for representing actors like Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, and Harrison Ford, will not handle sales or exhibitions, which remain with galleries. Instead, UTA Fine Arts will focus on securing financing for creative projects, arranging corporate partnerships, and providing access to digital platforms and the film industry, charging a 10% commission per project. Agency executives Jeremy Zimmer and Jim Berkus, both art collectors, emphasized this approach. Joshua Roth, an art lawyer leading the division, aims to represent top industry names, though no artists have been signed yet. Marc Glimcher of Pace expressed concern about Hollywood's influence on artist-dealer relationships, warning against potential sell-out risks.