Mia Nielsen is the director of Art Toronto, the country’s largest art fair. As the event heads into its 25th year this weekend, she sat down with The Peak to talk about the art business.
Are there any misconceptions about the art fair?
We do try to represent the art of our time, but this is very much a shopping event.
How important is it for galleries?
It’s the most important art market in the country. Last year, on-site sales alone totalled more than $12 million.
What makes someone an art collector?
Everyone has a different opinion, but I think the community considers you a collector before you do, and you have to acquire enough art to come up with a point of view.
Why are they important?
They’re the ones holding safe our cultural legacy for future generations. So having collectors in Canada stewarding the work now will fill our museums in 50 years.
Is that why people were upset by art speculators that emerged during the pandemic?
Absolutely. Treating art as something that only has value because of its monetary value actually erases its value and undercuts the whole market.
Is art an asset?
It is an asset, yes, but it’s so much more than that.
Is there a podcast you’ve listened to recently that you’d recommend?
Helen Molesworth hosts the first season of Death of an Artist; she was the first to talk about this tragic story. I also like Dialogues: The David Zwirner Podcast, and The Art Newspaper has great podcasts for anyone wanting to familiarize themselves with art.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.