Artist management companies are making a comeback as the traditional gallery model faces upheaval. Recent launches include Cristopher Canizares's Artist Legacy Bureau (after leaving Hauser & Wirth), Dina Mostovaya's Sensity Studio in London, Julia Bassiri's Art+Mgmt in Miami, Anne Verhallen's KUNST Agency, Spencer Young in New York, and Jon Horrocks's agency focused on museum partnerships. These agents operate without physical spaces, keeping overheads low, and offer sliding-scale fees for services like career development, estate planning, and museum acquisitions.
This resurgence matters because it reflects a broader shift in the art market toward "disintermediated sales," where artists sell directly to collectors via studio visits or Instagram—doubling from 10% in 2021 to 20% in 2025. Agents fill gaps left by galleries, particularly for mid-tier artists who need administrative support or institutional connections. While dealers still dominate sales (43% in 2025), the rise of agencies signals a more flexible, artist-centric model that could reshape how careers are managed in a turbulent market.