Richan Art — Art & Cultural Strategy
Art historical insight. Professional practice.
Richan Art is an independent, founder-led art and cultural consultancy based in Toronto. Led by Emma Richan, the practice brings together public art, fine art advisory, and art historical research.
Established in 2016, the practice brings together experience across the commercial and institutional art sectors with advanced academic training in art history. Its work spans the development and management of public art commissions, fine art advisory, collection stewardship, research, writing, and education.
Richan Art works with developers, artists, architects, cultural institutions, and private collectors, providing specialized expertise and considered guidance at the intersection of artistic practice, cultural policy, and the art market.
The consultancy is founded on the understanding that art requires both intellectual engagement and practical expertise. Whether overseeing a major public commission, advising on an acquisition, or undertaking scholarly research, its approach is informed by careful inquiry, professional judgment, and respect for the artistic process.
Emma Richan
Founder & Principal
Emma Richan is an art advisor, art historian, and educator with approximately fifteen years of experience in the Canadian art sector.
As Founder and Principal of Richan Art, she specializes in public art planning and management, advising on commissions from initial strategy and municipal approvals through artist selection, fabrication, installation, and long-term stewardship. Her experience encompasses multimillion-dollar development contexts, substantial public art budgets, and projects involving internationally recognized contemporary artists.
Emma's professional background spans the commercial and institutional art sectors, including positions in galleries and auction houses, art advisory, and collection management. This experience informs her understanding of artistic production, the Canadian art market, and the relationship between cultural value and commercial practice.
Alongside her consulting work, Emma maintains an active interest in art historical research, writing, and education. She developed and taught The Global Art Market: Practical Applications at the University of Toronto, bringing professional experience and scholarly perspectives to the study of the international art market.
Emma has completed doctoral coursework and advanced research in Art History and Visual Studies at the University of Victoria and holds an MA in Visual Studies from Western University and a BA (Honours) in Art History from Queen's University.
Her scholarly interests include North American art, art markets and valuation, contemporary public art, and the relationship between scholarship, institutions, and commerce.