Why I Started an Art Fund
And why you should care.
Charles-Théodore Frère, Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, ca. 1880. Oil on canvas. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
I’ve always believed that art, in all its mediums, is one of the most powerful forces for shaping culture. It holds the power to influence perspectives, cement legacies and communities, and create an emotional connection that transcends time. But as I increasingly studied the art world and its economics, something became very clear to me: many of the artists whose work has the potential to shift cultural narratives are overlooked, underfunded, or struggling to break through the barriers of the traditional art market.
That realization wasn’t just an observation—it was a call to action. Being 25 years old and heavily focused on the idea of generational legacy, I decided to do something about it. I launched Videre Art Fund.
The Spark That Ignited the Vision
Interestingly enough, my affinity for art and cultural influence traces back to a pretty unexpected source—Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. The game’s immersive world introduced me to the culture of the Renaissance era, igniting a fascination with the way art, architecture, and patronage shaped an entire period of history—and still do to this day. It was the first time I truly understood that art isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about power, politics, legacy, and storytelling. It wasn't until 2024, 12 years after I completed the Assassin’s Creed storyline, that I thought to do something more with that initial spark of inspiration.
As I conducted a deeper independent study of art history, I found myself returning to the Medici family—specifically their role as patrons. Their investments in artists didn’t just benefit individual creatives; they shaped the entire Renaissance movement. My mind thrives on the cross-pollination of ideas, so naturally, this research sparked a question in me—what would it look like to have a modern-day version of that kind of patronage? Could I build a structure that empowered artists to create, innovate, and define the future of culture without the pressures of commercial survival? I knew I wanted to create something that had a long-lasting impact, just as historical patrons did centuries ago.
alleuu. Cheese. Digital painting, available as giclée art print. https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/allleuu/cheese Accessed Febuary 23rd, 2024.
The idea had been simmering for a while, but it became undeniable after a very brief Instagram DM exchange with Alina Gibadullina (aka Allleuu). I've followed her on social platforms for quite a while, and one thing that struck me about her is the fact that she's always sketching, whether at a sporting event, the streets of Paris, or a restaurant. I asked her if it ever felt like work, and she responded by saying that it is work—in a fulfilling sense. For some reason, that exchange made me reflect on my time working at Universal Music Group. As a content creator on the °1824 team, I worked on a wide range of unique projects such as:
Developing creative strategies and campaigns for emerging artists
Creating song visualizers (so many visualizers)
Serving on the Task Force for Meaningful Change
Video production for a Global A&R program and sharing insights and content with Lucien Grainge
This experience, coupled with the seeds of my Renaissance research and the chat with Alina, drove me to finally act on the idea. I started asking myself: What if there was a way to invest in artists the way venture capital invests in startups, or record labels invest in musicians? What if instead of waiting for the traditional art market to recognize them, we created our own ecosystem—one that nurtured innovation, took calculated risks, and provided artists with the resources to create without limits?
That’s when the idea crystallized. I wasn’t just going to collect art. I was going to build an infrastructure for artistic excellence.
More Than a Fund—A Strategy for Cultural Influence
This isn't necessarily about philanthropy. It's about strategy and cultural capital. My background in creative strategy and AI research taught me that social capital is just as valuable—if not more valuable—than financial capital. When leveraged effectively, art has the ability to dictate conversations, advance industries, and even influence policy.
My aforementioned experience at Universal Music Group reinforced this perspective. I had firsthand exposure to the power of providing artists with the right resources, strategic guidance, and an inspiring environment. Developing acts flourished when they were given not just financial backing but also a vision, a roadmap, and the space to create freely while working with creative teams that were evolving just as they were. I saw the transformative impact of well-structured support—and I knew the same principles could be applied to the art world.
As such, the fund was designed to do three things:
Identify and support visionary artists early. Many artists don’t reach financial sustainability until years—sometimes decades—into their careers. By offering funding, strategic guidance, and visibility, we could accelerate their trajectory.
Leverage technology and inspiration to discover and amplify talent. Given my background in AI research, it makes sense to create a data-supported approach to curation. I'm actively developing methods to analyze emerging trends, audience engagement, and market dynamics to supplement intuition and make informed investment decisions.
Create an ecosystem where art is valued as a high-impact asset. The traditional art world naturally functions as an exclusive club. My goal is to inspire and bring together new collectors, patrons, and investors who understand the value of human creativity and are eager to be part of shaping its future.
The First Major Moves
Launching the fund means moving beyond theory and into execution. One of the first steps is acquiring works from artists who inspire me and might be underappreciated, but are undeniably brilliant. These acquisitions aren't only about ownership; they help shape our story, along with that of the artist. Each piece represents a forward-looking statement about where the future of art is headed.
I also plan to establish partnerships with institutions, brands, and individuals to expand the visibility of the artists we support. Rather than waiting for traditional gatekeepers to open doors, we have to build our own.
Additionally, I am actively exploring the potential of AI in the curation process. By analyzing historical art trends alongside contemporary shifts in digital engagement, I can develop an approach that allows me to make more informed decisions about where the art world is heading.
Looking Ahead
I didn’t start this art fund to be another collector. I started it to redefine how art is valued, supported, and experienced. The goal isn’t just to acquire great work—it’s to ensure that artists can keep making great work.
I see the fund growing into a global initiative, one that doesn’t just operate within the existing systems of galleries and museums but actively creates new models of support. Whether it’s funding public installations, immersive digital experiences, or other innovative endeavors, the goal remains the same: to empower artists and keep human creativity a valued asset.
This is just the beginning. The art fund isn’t just an investment in artists—it’s an investment in culture itself. And if we do it properly, the impact will last far beyond our lifetimes, God willing.