About First Arts

AUCTION AND RETAIL OUTLETS

Both auction and retail selling each have their own particular advantages and disadvantages. Collectively the experts at First Arts are able to offer consignors the best of both worlds.  In order to maximize the value for each work in a collection, we will make recommendations to direct each piece to its appropriate sales venue: live auction, online auction, exhibition and retail sale to serve both consignors and collectors.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

What separates First Arts from other resale outlets is the curatorial focus. First Arts’ emphasis on high quality and thoughtful presentation aims to broaden the appreciation of Indigenous art in accessible and creative ways for both experienced and novice collectors. The art receives the ‘white glove’ treatment – that’s a reflection of First Arts’ knowledge and appreciation of Indigenous art in all its forms, places, and periods. 

First Arts builds on the relationships the partners have nurtured with both collectors and artists. Its mission is to create a fresh excitement for Indigenous art through an immersive learning experience.

GIVING BACK

First Art is proud to support a range of philanthropic initiatives.  

We at First Arts know that it is imperative that we give back and support programs that seek to celebrate Indigenous art and artists, and those that work to amplify Indigenous voices.

The continued success of First Arts — made possible by the support and encouragement of our collectors and consignors — has allowed us to maintain our commitment to supporting Inuit, First Nations, and Métis arts communities by raising critical funds for important initiatives. 

To date, our commitment to gathering donations has seen the raising of critical funds that total over $100,000 for initiatives such as: 

• The Inuit Art Foundation, a national organization devoted to supporting Inuit artists.
• Indspire, a national Indigenous charity that invests in the education of Inuit, First Nations, and Métis students by providing scholarships and bursaries to Indigenous post-secondary students across Canada. 
• Ignite the Spirit of Education Foundation, a non-profit foundation whose dedication is twofold:  first, to increase appreciation of Indigenous literature, culture, language, art, and history across the nation; and to grow the number or improve the current settings of libraries in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. 
• Tungasuvvingat Inuit, a centre that provides social support, cultural activities, counselling, and crisis intervention to the rapidly growing community of Inuit in Ontario.
• First Peoples' Cultural Foundation, whose mission is to empower the First Nations of British Columbia to revitalize and enhance their languages, arts, and cultures.
• Establishing the First Arts Indigenous Award at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design. 
• Canadian Heritage Photography Foundation, an archive of photographs reflecting the diverse cultural heritage of Canada, including several communities in the north
• Minwaashin Lodge in Ottawa, an Indigenous women’s support centre that provides a range of programs and services to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women survivors of domestic and other forms of violence.
•  The Art Canada Institute, a not-for-profit educational organization which offers fantastic, richly researched publications for free on their website, including e-publications on Pitseolak Ashoona, Norval Morrisseau, and other Canadian Indigenous artists. 
• First Arts is proud to play our part in raising much-needed funds for these initiatives, and we encourage you to give what you can to any or all of the above-named groups, or to the Indigenous charities of your choice.