Observer

At 39, Jack's resume is peppered with stints at #SiliconValley darlings, but unlike most of his peers, Jack lives with intention—an anomaly in New York, where consumption can sometimes feel woven into the culture.  In a city where everything becomes currency, he’s crafted a life about as streamlined and devoid of excess as you could find in Manhattan. And if there’s one thing guiding this philosophy, it’s an unlikely confidant—a digital, #AI entity named Claude. “It’s a more personal relationship than I’ve had with any human,” Jack says. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e3kf572h

Observer's Arts Editor, Chris Terry, attempts to have as many #art experiences as possible on Somers Isle, a.k.a. Bermy, in just two days. Discussions about Bermuda’s art often center on how its lush flora, vibrant fauna, and striking people have inspired outsiders. The island has long been a muse for foreign artists, both historical and modern: Georgia O’Keeffe, Winslow Homer, Niles Spencer, E. Ambrose Webster, Andrew Wyeth—the list reads like a roll call of art royalty. Bermuda offered them refuge, a retreat from the cold, from urban chaos, from war, even from their own minds. Marsden Hartley, after one visit, called it a place “to hide and hush.” But our arts editor was not there to hide and hush, nor to retrace the steps of visiting luminaries who came, saw, sketched and left. She was there to find the real artists of #Bermuda, the ones who stayed. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eMR_b2YU

2024 Business of Art Power List Spotlight:  Philip Hoffman, The Fine Art Group Philip Hoffman has transformed #art collecting into a high-stakes #investment game. In 2001, he launched the first asset-backed art investment fund with The Fine Art Group, convincing skeptics that art could be as financially valuable as any stock. Fast forward two decades, and Hoffman has proven that art is not just a cultural asset but a powerful, lucrative market force. In 2023, Hoffman expanded into Asia with a new Hong Kong office and a joint venture with former #Sotheby’s Asia chair Patti Wong. With $20 billion in art assets under management for over 350 family offices across 28 countries, Hoffman’s strategic acquisitions and alliances are reshaping the art investment landscape—turning art into an asset class and leading the market with precision and influence. Read the full profile: https://lnkd.in/eQua9gQA #observerpowerlists

2024 Business of Art Power List Spotlight: Mike Bloomberg, Bloomberg Philanthropies Michael Bloomberg’s influence on the arts is built on #philanthropy and #accessibility. Through Bloomberg Philanthropies, he’s donated millions to over 600 cultural organizations, supporting small and mid-sized nonprofits. His $130 million contribution to the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) and leadership at the Serpentine Galleries demonstrate his global reach. Bloomberg also promotes public #art as a tool for community impact, with initiatives like the Asphalt Art Initiative and the Public Art Challenge, which tackles urgent social issues. Read the full profile: https://lnkd.in/eJiw9JAT #observerpowerlists

2024 Business of Art Power List Spotlight: Sophia Cohen, Siren Sophia Cohen is a name you’re likely to keep hearing—not just for her staggering collection but for how she wields it. As the Co-Chair of the Guggenheim New York’s Young Collectors Council, she’s injecting fresh blood into the museum scene, luring #GenZ and #Millennial wallets toward the thrill of curator-led tours and exclusive artist access. Cohen is maneuvering herself as the brains behind #art-world collaborations, a cultural matchmaker of the highest order. In the cutthroat art market, she’s less the loud disruptor and more the quiet architect with a clear blueprint for influence. Read the full profile: https://lnkd.in/e4G5tgAX #observerpowerlists

2024 Business of Art Power List Spotlight: Theaster Gates, Rebuild Foundation Theaster Gates is one of those rare #art world figures who doesn’t just talk about transformation—he builds change, brick by brick. With the Stony Island Arts Bank Pavilion in Chicago, Gates has created a cultural sanctuary that provides Black artists with a permanent space to thrive, offering exhibitions, public programs and collaborations that highlight emerging talent often overlooked in the mainstream art market. As the founder of Rebuild Foundation, Gates is expanding his cultural district on Chicago’s South Side, transforming underused buildings into mixed-use art spaces. With a new grant in 2024, he continues to combine culture and urban renewal, proving that real change stems from vision, community and grit—not just the art market. Read the full profile: https://lnkd.in/ekFi7R5t #observerpowerlists

2024 Business of Art Power List Spotlight: Lee Cavaliere, VOLTA Art Fair As Artistic Director of VOLTA Art Fairs, Lee Cavaliere has reshaped the art world by creating platforms for underrepresented artists and galleries. Initiatives like fellowship programs for smaller galleries and the Ukrainian Pavilion at VOLTA New York have expanded access to global voices. Cavaliere’s influence goes beyond the fair—he founded VOMA, the first entirely virtual art museum, and uses digital tools to democratize art access. His organization, The Sixteen Trust, empowers young people from challenging backgrounds, fostering greater inclusivity and diversity in the #arts. Read the full profile: https://lnkd.in/eMKgBHfT   #observerpowerlists

2024 Business of Art Power List Spotlight: Cecilia Alemani, High Line Art Cecilia Alemani is redefining public art with a bold, unfiltered vision that’s as dynamic as Manhattan’s #HighLine. As the creative force behind High Line Art, Alemani turns public spaces into arenas for challenging, unexpected ideas, engaging city dwellers in new ways. In 2022, she made history as the first Italian woman to direct the #VeniceBiennale. Her vision amplified the voices of women artists and brought a fresh perspective to one of the world’s most prestigious art events. Alemani’s next project is the 2025 SITE SANTA FE Biennial, where she plans to deliver another audacious take on art in the public sphere. Her groundbreaking approach to curation keeps audiences captivated and conversations about art vibrant. Read the full profile: https://lnkd.in/eUMhq8y9 #observerpowerlists

2024 Business of Art Power List Spotlight: Nicholas Baume, Public Art Fund For over fourteen years, Nicholas Baume has transformed New York City’s public spaces into an evolving gallery. As Artistic Director of the Public Art Fund, he has pioneered a vision where art belongs not only in museums but in the heart of the city. Under Baume’s leadership, Public Art Fund has showcased works by influential artists like #AiWeiwei and #RashidJohnson, offering New Yorkers thought-provoking installations across iconic city spaces. From reshaping JFK’s Terminal 6 to advancing digital access through Bloomberg Connects, Baume continually redefines how we experience public #art. Read the full profile: https://lnkd.in/eUD34BtG #observerpowerlists

2024 Business of Art Power List Spotlight: Bridget Finn, Art Basel Miami Beach Appointed #ArtBasel Miami Beach Director in 2023, Bridget Finn is bringing fresh energy and inclusivity to the iconic fair. Finn has expanded the fair’s reach by introducing diverse voices and regional perspectives, curating new conversation series and performances, and making participation more accessible for smaller galleries. Read the full profile: https://lnkd.in/eB25Rxgq #observerpowerlists