ISA Blog - Information you can use

Latest Posts

• How to Become a Connoisseur Tuesday, May 18, 2021 in Education

  To become a connoisseur, curiosity is required. One must dedicate time and energy to asking questions, train her/his eyes to observe detail, and learn to compare and contrast objects so as to build up the experience necessary to make decisions about quality.

  View More
• Ask an Instructor: Tips on Finding Parallel Artists Tuesday, May 18, 2021 in Ask an Instructor

  Question: Help! I’m appraising artwork for estate tax purposes. The artist is not returning my calls. He is his own market. He has no past or current gallery representation, and he has no auction sale results. I know that I’m supposed to look for a parallel artist to determine fair market value when there are no comparables. Do you have any tips on finding parallel artists?

  View More
• The Importance of Due Diligence and Due Care in Appraising Wednesday, April 21, 2021 in Education

  My favorite part of USPAP comes directly from the Competency Rule: Perfection is impossible to attain, and competence does not require perfection. However, an appraiser must not render appraisal services in a careless or negligent manner. This Rule requires an appraiser to use due diligence and due care. (USPAP 2020-2021, lines 301-303)

  View More
• Ask an Instructor: How Bronze Disease Affects the Value of Art Wednesday, April 21, 2021 in Ask an Instructor

  Question: Does Bronze Disease affect the value of a work? From what I was reading, it seems to be a contamination problem with the bronze. Would the artist in any way be responsible for selling work that develops bronze disease?

  View More
• Ask an Instructor: Updates to Appraisal Templates and the Difference Between Online and Live Online Courses Tuesday, February 23, 2021 in Ask an Instructor

  Question 1:Since the ASB announced that the 2020-2021 edition of USPAP will be extended to the end of 2022, do I need to update my appraisal templates?

  View More
• Ask an Instructor: New Definitions for Limiting Conditions and Extraordinary Assumptions Tuesday, January 26, 2021 in Ask an Instructor

  Question: Has ISA issued any new definitions for Limiting Conditions and Extraordinary Assumptions as yet?

  View More
• Do I Qualify for the ISA Specialty and Advanced Studies (SAS) Pathway? Friday, December 11, 2020 in News, Education

  Do you qualify for the SAS track to achieve Accredited Member (ISA AM) status?

  View More
• Fair Market Value and Replacement Cost - What’s the Difference? Monday, November 16, 2020 in News

  This is not an uncommon question in the Core Course in-person class, but it is even more common from the Core Course Distance Education students. The confusion is not limited to the beginner appraiser courses. I have also had requalification course attendees and students in the AF+DA courses who are not clear on the differences. Therefore, now seemed like a good opportunity to review the differences in use and the selection of comparables for these two objectives.

  View More
• Choosing Asking Prices for Replacement Costs Monday, November 16, 2020 in Ask an Instructor

  Question: A fine art print from the same print edition can often be found in multiple retail galleries with a range of different asking prices. How do I choose which asking price to use for replacement cost? Does the condition of the client’s print play a role in the selection of the comparable?

  View More
• Ethics in Review Tuesday, October 13, 2020 in News, Education

  Reviewing some basic ethics points is always a good idea. For instance, did you know that ISA recently updated its Ethics Code and Ethics Disciplinary Procedures? Do you know what type of behavior ISA regulates (and does not regulate)? What are some of the most common ethics complaints and missteps?  

  View More