künsthaus global
where the world’s art comes together
künsthaus: Driving Value and Impact in the Global Art Ecosystem
For over three decades, künsthaus has operated as a distinguished global leader in art consultancy, delivering strategic advisory services across art acquisition, organizational management, and executive leadership development. Our methodology rigorously integrates scholarly r
künsthaus: Driving Value and Impact in the Global Art Ecosystem
For over three decades, künsthaus has operated as a distinguished global leader in art consultancy, delivering strategic advisory services across art acquisition, organizational management, and executive leadership development. Our methodology rigorously integrates scholarly research with pragmatic business strategy, providing bespoke solutions that optimize tangible and intangible value for collectors, institutions, and corporations navigating the international art market.
Our Core Value Propositions:
Strategic Asset Allocation (Art Acquisition):
We employ a data-driven and research-intensive approach to art acquisition, guiding clients in building diversified portfolios that exhibit both cultural significance and long-term appreciation potential. Our due diligence encompasses historical performance analysis, aesthetic valuation, and market trend forecasting to ensure optimal return on investment and alignment with strategic asset allocation goals.
Operational Excellence in
Arts Management:
Our consultancy services deliver strategic frameworks designed to enhance operational efficiency, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen market positioning. We focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as revenue growth, stakeholder engagement metrics, and cost optimization to drive sustainable organizational development and enhance long-term viability within the competitive global arts landscape.
Executive Leadership Development for Strategic Advantage:
Leveraging over thirty years of sector-specific experience, our leadership consulting services equip arts executives with the strategic acumen and management skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the global cultural environment. Through executive coaching and customized development programs, we empower leaders to drive organizational transformation, enhance team performance, and maximize stakeholder value.
Integrated Solutions for Capital Deployment (Comprehensive Art Solutions):
At künsthaus, we offer a holistic and expert approach to art acquisition, management, and leadership, providing clients with integrated strategies that optimize capital deployment across their art-related activities. Our focus is on aligning cultural objectives with sound financial planning and risk management principles to achieve sustainable growth and impact.
Flexible Capital Access Strategies (Buy & Lease Art):
We provide innovative and flexible financial solutions for art engagement, including acquisition and leasing models that allow clients to curate dynamic environments while optimizing cash flow and managing capital expenditure. These strategies offer adaptable approaches to asset management within the art sector.
The künsthaus Competitive Advantage:
Proven Track Record of Global Impact:
Over 30 years of experience in international consulting, arts education, and leadership development provide a deep understanding of global market dynamics and financial considerations.
Data-Driven Insights and Scholarly Rigor:
Our strategies are founded on a robust blend of academic research and practical business analytics in cultural asset management, ensuring informed decision-making and measurable outcomes.
Client-Centric Value Creation:
We offer bespoke services meticulously tailored to align with your specific cultural objectives, financial targets, and aesthetic preferences, maximizing long-term value creation.
Strategic Global Network:
Our extensive network provides access to key influencers and institutions within the international art market, enhancing opportunities for strategic partnerships and market intelligence.
künsthaus is committed to enhancing the strategic intersection of art, leadership, and financial performance, delivering measurable results that are both culturally enriching and economically sound, reinforcing our position as a global leader in art consultancy focused on value creation and sustainable growth.
Ayten Archer, Partner
Ayten Archer is a distinguished international consultant, professor, and advisor with over three decades of expertise at the intersection of global business strategy and cultural management. She has provided strategic counsel to elite corporations, government bodies, and cultural institutions across five continents,
Ayten Archer, Partner
Ayten Archer is a distinguished international consultant, professor, and advisor with over three decades of expertise at the intersection of global business strategy and cultural management. She has provided strategic counsel to elite corporations, government bodies, and cultural institutions across five continents, helping them integrate culture, art, and heritage into their operations and strategies.
Archer’s extensive client portfolio includes global brands such as Google, Procter & Gamble, Pfizer, Starbucks, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, Aramco, Lockheed Martin, and Bank of America. She has played a pivotal role in advising these organizations on cultural integration and leveraging culture for business success, ensuring that collections and cultural assets serve both aesthetic and strategic goals.
As an expert in cultural property management, Archer has worked with governments on policies related to the protection, acquisition, and strategic use of antiquities and national art collections. Her work includes advising on cultural heritage strategies and contributing to the development of cultural property management programs across Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, helping governments and institutions preserve and use their cultural assets strategically on the global stage.
Archer’s governance experience spans three continents, having served on boards of global academic, art, symphony, opera and not-for-profit organizations, national research think-tanks and three government-owned Crown corporations. She serves on corporate and University advisory boards and as a judge for top academic business and beauty competitions including Queen's University QLB, Top Model of the World and Miss World Canada Additionally, Archer has worked closely with arts-chain community organizations including the Professional Art Dealers Association of Canada, Saskatchewan Craft Council and Canadian Federation of Musicians offering strategic guidance to members on market trends, acquisitions, artist legal matters and professional development.
In addition to her consulting work, Archer teaches graduate, undergraduate, and professional programs in arts management, business strategy, and cultural leadership. Archer introduced the first cultural properties management course in a Western Canadian university. Her courses, including The Art Market, Arts Marketing, Financial Management in the Arts, and Strategic Planning for Arts Organizations, equip students with the tools and insights needed to succeed in the global arts and business sectors. Archer is committed to shaping the next generation of leaders through hands-on, case-based learning in collaboration with arts organizations around the world.
Archer has been recognized as a recipient of over 40 international awards for teaching, leadership, and business excellence, further solidifying her position as a leader in international business. Her advisory expertise also extends to luxury brands and cultural institutions such as Art Dealers of Canada, Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Art Dubai, advising on acquisitions, curation, and branding strategies. Her work with high-profile brands like Harrods, Mercedes Benz, and Bulgari helps integrate cultural elements into their marketing and corporate strategies. With her global reach, extensive governance experience, and deep expertise in both business and cultural sectors, Ayten continues to shape the future of cultural and business strategy, offering invaluable guidance to leaders across industries.
Blair Voth Miller, Partner
Blair Voth Miller is an accomplished art buyer, dealer, and business consultant with a broad range of expertise spanning the fine art market, real estate, hospitality, and automotive industries. With extensive experience in both business and the arts, Blair has successfully guided a diverse clientele, including
Blair Voth Miller, Partner
Blair Voth Miller is an accomplished art buyer, dealer, and business consultant with a broad range of expertise spanning the fine art market, real estate, hospitality, and automotive industries. With extensive experience in both business and the arts, Blair has successfully guided a diverse clientele, including high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and international collectors, on art acquisitions, collection management, and investments.
Blair’s business acumen extends beyond the art world, having consulted for major companies such as Mercedes Benz, Mini, Hyundai, and numerous restaurant chains. She has advised on business optimization, strategic growth, and the integration of art into corporate and brand strategies.As an entrepreneur, Blair owns and manages multiple businesses, including 10 restaurants and 14 enterprises, allowing her to leverage her expertise in both the creative and commercial sectors. Whether curating exceptional art collections or consulting on business strategies, Blair Voth Miller brings a unique blend of artistic insight and practical business solutions to every project.
Miller is renowned for her expertise in the renovation and contracting of high-value properties rich in history and narrative. With a profound appreciation for heritage, she specializes in identifying and restoring properties that embody unique cultural stories, ensuring their preservation and honoring their architectural legacy. Her meticulous approach combines thoughtful renovation with a deep respect for historical significance, making her a trusted advisor for clients seeking to invest in culturally meaningful properties.
l’ecole künsthaus offers educational and art travel opportunities for art buyers, collectors, and investors. The curriculum explores the nuances of art acquisition, investment strategies, and collection management.
l’ecole künsthaus faculty provide customized training for the Strategic Management of Cultural Assets in five languages
With over three decades of award winning undergraduate business, MBA and corporate teaching successes our faculty have trained artists and arts leaders on five continents empowering them with skills specific to the challenges and dynamics of the creative industries.
At künsthaus, we’re committed to preserving the heritage and history embedded in the spaces we work on. Our goal is not just to maintain buildings but to protect their architectural integrity and cultural significance, ensuring future generations can connect with the past.
In late 2023, we undertook the transformation of Maison Birks—an iconic Canadian landmark—into a modern, community-driven restaurant in Western Canada. Originally built in 1929 as the home of Henry Birks & Sons Ltd., the building has long stood as a symbol of elegance and craftsmanship. Henry Birks & Sons, founded in 1879, is Canada’s first luxury jewelry house and became a symbol of prestige, quality, and craftsmanship. Over the years, it became the destination for fine jewelry, watches, and sterling silver, cementing its place as a part of Canada’s cultural and economic fabric. For generations of Canadians, Birks was the brand that marked life’s most important milestones—engagements, weddings, and other significant moments. Our challenge was to honor the building’s rich heritage while reimagining it for a vibrant new purpose.
The Beaux-Arts Aesthetic: A Timeless Treasure:
The Birks Building is a classic example of Beaux-Arts architecture, known for its grand scale, classical detailing, and symmetry. The ornate exterior and elegant interior, featuring high ceilings and expansive windows, inspired the design vision for the restaurant in Western Canada. Our restoration work preserved these elements, ensuring the space maintained its timeless character while embracing a modern transformation.
The Safe: A Symbol of Legacy and Community
Among the building's most notable features is its original safe, which for decades held treasured pieces of jewelry for generations of local residents. This safe became a community symbol, representing significant life moments and personal milestones. In the restaurant, the safe is more than just a historic piece; it is a focal point that ties the space to the community’s shared history, bridging the past with the present.
Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future
Balancing the historical integrity of Maison Birks with the needs of a modern restaurant required careful design choices. We restored the building’s Beaux-Arts details while introducing contemporary design elements, such as sleek, minimalistic furniture, warm lighting, and reclaimed wood. These updates created an inviting, sophisticated atmosphere where guests could connect with history while enjoying the modern dining experience.
A Business, Architectural, and Cultural Transformation
The restaurant in Western Canada is more than just a place to eat—it’s a community hub where history, design, and local business converge. The restaurant's branding integrates elements of the Birks Building's architectural legacy, using historical design cues in its menu, visual identity, and interior elements. The design carefully integrates modern sensibilities with a nod to the past, featuring a menu inspired by timeless, comfort-food classics that echo the building's enduring legacy. The original safe, as well as architectural accents, are subtly reflected in the restaurant's aesthetic, fostering a sense of connection to the community and its shared history.
The restaurant experience is carefully marketed not just as a place to eat but as a celebration of Western Canada's architectural and cultural evolution. With an emphasis on community connection, the restaurant offers both a gastronomic and cultural journey, providing patrons with an immersive experience where the past meets the future.
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