ABOUT

Founded in 2014, Circa 1881 produces art programming and exhibitions of world-class contemporary art. Our clients are non-profit institutions and private companies interested in creating unique art experiences for their public spaces. The exhibited artworks are borrowed from Circa 1881’s Lending Library, consisting of inventory from private collections we have under management.

Our Name

The French government’s decision in 1881 to withdraw support for the Salon de Paris inspired independent artists to found the Société des Artistes Français and begin hosting their own exhibitions. The Société quickly found supportive audiences, unleashing a tidal wave of avant-garde artistic expression catalytic to the rise of Impressionism and, later, Post-Impressionism and Surrealism. Thus, modern art, as we understand it, was born in 1881— as was Pablo Picasso (1881–1973).

Our Mission

Circa 1881 is an initiative by art collectors who maintain the fundamental belief that art should be publicly enjoyed and that collecting has a purpose far greater than that of amassing assets. It is our goal to bring works owned by private collections to wider audiences by liberating them from storage and developing exhibitions in partnership with museums and other public and private institutions.

Collectors

Circa 1881, develops opportunities for art collectors, supports installations at non-profit institutions, increases exposure for collected artists and facilitates on loans to our exhibition partners.

Members experience bespoke and efficient collection management services, including art handling, packing, shipping, insurance, storage, installation and documentation services. Circa 1881 provides the utmost care for the safety of all artworks, zealous protection of privacy and assiduous digital record keeping.

In addition, Circa 1881 provides financial consulting services, such as structuring loans for the acquisition of new artworks, leveraging collections to make other strategic investments, as well as estate and tax planning. Circa 1881 does not provide art advisory services.

SERVICES

Circa 1881 produces art experiences, consisting of contemporary art exhibitions and ancillary programming. Our expert team works closely with exhibition partners to curate bespoke strategic art programs centered around their institutional goals and aesthetic visions. All logistics related to planning, transportation, insurance and installation are seamlessly managed by Circa 1881’s exhibition team. Art exhibitions can be periodically refreshed and can range in size from a single artwork to a facility-wide programs. Non-profit institutions can borrow artworks from the lending library at no cost, while other exhibition partners pay annual fees.

LENDING LIBRARY

Circa 1881’s Lending Library is a collection of artworks available for loan from the private collections of our members. Artworks of all media by contemporary masters are available for Circa 1881 to create exciting exhibitions that meet the unique goals and aesthetics of our exhibition partners.

Recent institutional loans from the Lending Library include the Columbus Museum of Art in Ohio, the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College in Massachusetts, and Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow.

PROJECTS

The Peninsula New York

Circa 1881 has worked with The Peninsula New York since 2012, curating a new exhibition each year for the last 5 years and producing special projects and programming.

Pink Lotus

In October 2015, Circa 1881 commissioned a large-scale, site-specific light sculpture by artist Grimanesa Amorós for the façade of The Peninsula New York in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month as part of “The Art of Pink,” an initiative sponsored by The Peninsula hotels worldwide.

John Barrett Bond Street

Famed luxury salon John Barrett commissioned Circa 1881 to create an exhibition of museum quality photography for their first satellite salon. The goals of the installation were to create a visual identity for the new space, reinforce the luxury brand and enhance customer experience. The installation is the key element establishing the luxe, edgy, downtown vibe of this new location.

The Peninsula Chicago

To highlight the hotel during EXPO Chicago 2016, Circa 1881 collaborated with Laura Dvorkin to curate an exhibition of highlights from the Beth Rudin DeWoody Art Collection.

Garage Museum of Contemporary Art

Circa 1881 loaned work from its Lending Library to the 2016 show Discontented Witnesses featuring recent major recent drawings from Robert Longo alongside sketches and films by Sergei Eisenstein and etchings by Francisco Goya.