This year marks the 25th anniversary of artnet, the premier online service provider for the art world. Founded in 1989, artnet now boasts the world’s number one art price database, an online auction platform, an extensive gallery network, market analytics, and, most recently, the world’s first 24/7 global art newswire.
Hans Neuendorf, one of the original founders who served as CEO of artnet beginning in 1995, was succeeded by his son Jacob Pabst in 2012. During his tenure as CEO, Pabst has carried on his father’s legacy and helped oversee the launch of artnet Analytics, and, most recently, artnet News and the newly redesigned artnet Auctions and artnet site.
When asked about one of the defining moments in artnet’s history, Pabst said, “When the Price Database became profitable. It took 10 years, but all of a sudden the business became self-sustaining. The birth of the Price Database set the gold standard in the industry.” Pabst points to the redesigned auctions site and the launch of artnet News as significant achievements for 2014.
“One of the most rewarding and significant tasks as CEO is building a team,” Pabst continued. “We have the same, if improved, products, but we’ve also added a lot of new, talented people. The other day I was sitting in a meeting with my management group and I looked around and thought to myself, This is what I always wanted—we get along well, and we’re all on the same page. That’s the most important thing. If you have the right people and the right team, everything works and everything becomes easier.”
What is the future for the trailblazing company? “artnet has always been at the forefront of innovation. The Price Database was revolutionary—it changed the market. The market needs to be transparent in order to grow. I want to continue in the same spirit, continue to be the innovator, launching and improving products.”
Here are a few choice photos of the artnet team through the years.
