In her capacity as a senior vice president and art collections manager at Citi Wealth's Art Advisory group, Carla Caputo fulfills a multifaceted role supporting the art needs of the bank’s high-net-worth clients. Having transitioned to Citi in 2023 after professional experience at prominent institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, Caputo approaches her work as both an art expert and a project manager overseeing numerous details in the life cycle of valuable private artworks.
Caputo explains that her responsibilities span various activities tailored to each client’s unique collection. "More than anything," she says, "I think of myself as a high-level project manager for Citi's high-net-worth clients." Her role ranges from facilitating museum loans of client artworks to composing detailed condition reports and supervising the installation of pieces within personal residences and corporate offices.
One of the initial challenges arises just after a client acquires a piece from a gallery or an auction, as the process of integrating it into their space can be intricate and resource intensive. Caputo acts as the central organizer, coordinating with registrars and shipping managers to ensure the artwork moves safely and efficiently. She must determine whether the artwork is already housed in an appropriate crate or travel frame, decide if transportation can occur on a passenger flight or requires specialized cargo flights, and then plan the optimal route to move it to the client’s location, taking into account the logistics of freight hubs and additional transit segments.
Upon arrival, the coordination continues with arrangements for pickup, delivery, unpacking, and deciding on suitable storage for the packaging materials. Caputo has recently paid particular attention to the weight of artworks to assess whether structural reinforcements are necessary for installation, as heavy pieces may require modifications to walls or support systems.
When the time comes for installation, Caputo collaborates closely with various individuals including house managers, conservators, specialized furniture movers, and fine art shipping professionals. She values the opportunity to visit clients’ homes and witness the diversity and scale of their collections firsthand. Yet she acknowledges the gravity of working in these environments, adhering to strict protocols to protect both the art and the clients’ residences.
Caputo follows several precautions to maintain safety and avoid damage. She notes that when carrying items like an iPad, she never sets them down carelessly since distinguishing between functional furniture and valuable artwork can be difficult. To prevent accidents, she also requests that art handlers remove objects such as tape measures from their clothing to avoid them catching or scraping artworks.
Footwear is carefully managed; Caputo either removes her shoes or uses protective covers to minimize dirt and abrasion. Sometimes clients are absent during installations, which can streamline the work, but she aims to minimize the time spent on site to reduce disruptions. For large or obstructive pieces, such as a substantial stone table encountered in a recent project, hiring professional movers is essential to safely reposition items without damaging the art or the home.
Environmental factors are another important consideration. Caputo has observed cases where a room's temperature was noticeably warm and advised clients to monitor conditions closely, as excessive heat can deteriorate certain artworks. She has suggested installing window shades to limit direct sunlight exposure and assisted clients in upgrading to energy-efficient lighting solutions that generate less heat, thereby supporting the long-term preservation of their collections.
For Caputo and her team, meeting client expectations is a significant aspect of their duties. The high standards set by clients in managing substantial art assets demand meticulous attention and expert knowledge. While she acknowledges that the experience of private bankers working with the same clients involves different pressures, she values the trust involved in accessing these residential and corporate spaces to deliver specialized art management services. Overall, the combination of careful logistical planning, preservation awareness, and respectful client interaction defines the art advisory work conducted for Citi’s ultra-wealthy clientele.