THE SOCIETY OF LONDON ART DEALERS

HISTORY AND ACTIVITIES

The Society of London Art Dealers was founded in 1932 to promote and protect the good name and interests of the art trade, and to enhance public confidence in responsible fine art dealing. Its members, around 100, have a proven reputation in their field and have signed an undertaking to observe high standards of fair and honest dealing.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Society is open to firms throughout the United Kingdom engaged in the sale of all forms of the visual arts. Membership covers a huge range of disciplines within the visual arts but is restricted to companies invited and vetted by the Executive Committee. To be considered for membership a dealer must have been in business for at least three years and have a high reputation for honesty and integrity, and expert knowledge of the artists or periods in which he or she specialises.

ACTIVITIES

The Society has a vital role to play in representing the interests of its members in discussions with the government and other professional bodies on current issues concerning the art trade. These issues are wide ranging but cover highly important topics such as Droit de Suite, VAT legislation and regulations concerning the import and export of artworks throughout the world. The Society is also there to provide its members with specialist advice on taxation and legal matters. It publishes a quarterly newsletter, a directory of members, and numerous information sheets on topics of essential interest to the art trade.

COOPERATION WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS

The Society is a founder member of the British Art Market Federation (the Director General is its ex officio Secretary), which was set up in 1996 to represent the interests of the art trade as a whole in discussion with the government and other bodies. The Society also cooperates closely with its sister organisations, The British Antique Dealer's Association (BADA) and the Association of Art and Antique Dealers (LAPADA), with whom it has regular discussions on a wide range of matters.

INTERNATIONAL

The Society is a member of Confederation Internationale de Negociants en Oeuvres d'Art (CINOA) and the Federation of European Art Galleries Associations (FEAGA). It also has close relations with the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) and with the French Syndicat des Antiquaires.

WEBSITE

The Society runs an up-to-date website at www.slad.org.uk giving details of all its member firms with direct links to their own websites listing the names of the artists they deal in and in many cases details of items of stock, upcoming exhibitions etc.