Services

Disegno offers a variety of services — appraisals, advising, research, collection management, and curating — for multiple art projects. Whether for private collectors of contemporary art or historic house museums, we help our clients to evaluate, interpret, communicate, source, and define their content and narratives.

Appraisals and Evaluations

Disegno provides certified appraisal reports for insurance, fair market value, and estate planning purposes according to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).  All reports are formalized by an associate member of the Appraisal Association of America in New York.

• preparing retail replacement value appraisals for fine and decorative arts to be submitted to insurance carriers and brokers to assist in binding insurance coverage

• preparing fair market value appraisals that can be used for financial and estate planning

• property inspection is typically conducted in person; in some cases, we are able to complete appraisals without an on-site inspection from provided images, description, and documentation

• all appraisal documents meet USPAP standards, including color digital images, descriptions, and values supported by appropriate market comparables

• advising about selling or charitable donations

Collection Management

Disegno offers advisory services on all practical aspects of managing an art collection. We ensure our clients have access to the most appropriate expertise with our in-depth knowledge and extensive network of service providers and scholars.

• cataloguing and inventory management solutions for private and corporate collectors

• assisting with provenance research, authentication and attribution

• offering advice on conservation, framing and installation; condition reports

• recommending on insurance and security requirements

• providing philanthropic advice – from advising on donations and museum loans to the establishment of personal foundations or museums

Design and Acquisitions

Disegno accommodates all levels of acquisitions for private, corporate, or museum clients – from those with existing collections to new collectors looking to start one.

• recommending historic interior selections, from period appropriate fixtures to treatments

• identifying and sourcing global acquisition opportunities at fair market value, from historic textiles or wallpaper, to furniture or old master paintings

• guaranteeing rigorous research and due diligence prior to all sales and purchases

• advising on curation - installation, conservation, representation, cataloguing, insurance, shipping and security

• proposing lighting solutions and design layout

• representing at auction – from acting as buyer’s agent, conducting pre-sale independent due diligence to private treaty purchase negotiations

• building private and corporate collections to varied budgets with a unified vision 

Exhibition and Planning

Disegno provides specialized consulting services to museums, historic sites and homes, and related organizations.  We help plan, develop, and implement permanent or temporary exhibitions or related programs from start to finish, or provide services to supplement your in-house capabilities, as needed.

• planning exhibitions or interpretative projects: themes, topics, and stories; audience analysis; focus groups; visitor experience objectives; interpretive and media strategies

• creating curatorial content; proposing exhibition ideas and outlines; assembling object lists

• researching primary and secondary sources (with capabilities in French, Dutch, Italian, and German)

• writing grant proposals, text panels, essays, books, blogs, or catalogues

• producing educational and interpretative materials

• recommending implementation, including implications for staff and volunteers, as well as art history training

• developing and actualizing social media strategies and special events

Cultural Travel

Disegno curates cultural travel in the Low Country and beyond through its partner company Art & Amble.  These include small-group walking tours or private customized itineraries based on clients’ needs and interests.  With a focus on art, architecture, and botany, we can arrange a wide variety of experiences, including:

• tours of Savannah, Charleston and abroad

• visits to local galleries, museums, antique shops, or other cultural sites

• visits to private collections, homes, or artist’s studios

• concerts, cocktails, dining, or other experiences

For more information about these travel services, please visit our sister website Art & Amble.