Dear Colleagues, Friends, and Supporters of the Art Market,

It is an honour to have been elected President of CINOA, the international federation representing art and antique dealers, gallerists, and auction houses across Europe, North America, and Australia. I accept this role with deep gratitude for the trust placed in me and with a strong commitment to advancing the shared values that unite our profession.

Before looking ahead, I would like to express heartfelt thanks to Clinton Howell, who served as CINOA President for an extraordinary nine years. Under his steady leadership, CINOA became a more powerful and respected voice in international advocacy, expanding its reach and strengthening its position in cultural policy discussions. His leadership, along with those of the CINOA Administrative Council, have laid a strong foundation for the work ahead.

We are living through a pivotal moment in the cultural and political landscape, where the art trade must speak clearly, confidently, and collectively. As President, I am dedicated to ensuring that CINOA continues to be a strong and constructive voice in international discussions about cultural heritage, trade, and regulation.

First and foremost, I am committed to reaffirming the value of our profession. Art dealers play a vital role in preserving and transmitting cultural knowledge. With growing public interest in provenance and cultural heritage, we have a unique opportunity to showcase the expertise, integrity, and meaningful contributions that define our work. It is time to tell our story with confidence and clarity.

I will also work to advance an accurate understanding of the art market, grounded in facts—not assumptions. Misconceptions must be replaced by a clear recognition of the trade’s realities—its complexities, obligations, and invaluable cultural role—rooted in reliable, evidence-based knowledge. CINOA will continue to provide insightful analysis and advocate for data-driven policy discussions.

We must also support fair and effective regulation—one that safeguards cultural heritage while preserving the viability of a diverse and specialized art market. This means advocating for new laws that are proportionate, practical, and developed in consultation with our sector, as well as reforming existing legislation where necessary

Ethics and responsibility are at the core of our mission. I will ensure CINOA remains a beacon of high standards and best practices, and that we actively uphold our members’ commitment to transparent, lawful, and ethical trade—as reflected in the CINOA Code of Ethics and the CINOA Due Diligence and Provenance Research e-toolkit.

Finally, I believe deeply in the power of unity. One of my key priorities is to strengthen collaboration across the art world—bringing together dealers, auction houses, fairs, collectors, scholars, institutions and service providers to amplify our shared voice. As part of this effort, CINOA is committed to broadening representation within the art trade and welcoming the many professionals who support and enrich it. You can donate to fund our advocacy, research, and educational programs through Friends of CINOA. Additionally, we are seeking approved service providers such as insurance, transportation, restorers — to name just a few, to Partner with us, offering a way to support our efforts while gaining industry visibility. If you share our values, I encourage you to connect with us—because through CINOA, we are stronger together.

I look forward to working with all of you to protect and promote the values we stand for, and to ensure a sustainable, respected, and vibrant future for our profession.

With best regards,

Patrick Mestdagh
President, CINOA