Max Teicher, Founder & Partner
Max created 291 Agency in 2021 to collaborate with a select group of top contemporary artists, developing business models and revenue streams that fit the unique markets of each artist. Prior to that, Max had worked for 15 years in the art world. During his tenure at Gagosian Gallery, Max brought artist estates and contemporary artists to the gallery and placed artworks in top private and institutional collections around the world. Max is also a 10 year supporter of YoungArts and their mission to support young artists.
Andrea Crane, Co-Founder & Partner
Andrea cultivated her depth of knowledge and understanding of the art world through 25 years in senior positions at premiere auction houses, and major galleries, before founding her eponymous art consulting firm in 2013. She has worked with collectors in the U.S. and globally, as well as with major foundations and estates. Since 2013, Andrea Crane has also been an advisor to painter Cecily Brown, one of the world’s most celebrated artists. Andrea’s areas of expertise range from Impressionism to Modern, Post-war and Contemporary art. Throughout her career, she has placed significant works in museums throughout the United States and Europe. Andrea’s commitments include the Board of Trustees of the Drawing Center and serving twenty years as a Board Member for the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Andrea holds a Master’s degree in Art History from the University of Chicago.
Valentina Castellani, Partner; Senior Advisor
Valentina is an art market expert with over 25 years in the industry, and is currently writing a book about the contemporary art market. She also teaches on the subject as an Adjunct Professor at NYU Steinhardt. She currently sits on the board of the Casa Italiana of NYU and of the Drawing Center of New York. Valentina started her own private advisory firm in 2016 focusing on top-tier Post-War and Contemporary art. Previously she has been a Director at Gagosian Gallery New York, organizing and curating many of their most groundbreaking, historical exhibitions, including Francis Bacon, Lucio Fontana, and Piero Manzoni retrospectives, as well as several Pablo Picasso exhibitions. She has also worked for Sotheby’s, securing sales for many significant private collections.
Rysia Murphy, Partner; Chief Operating Officer
Rysia helped launch 291 Agency in 2021, leading operational, business management, and strategy for the agency artists. In 2015, Rysia had co-founded Arisohn + Murphy, a project management and strategic consulting firm for art-focused projects. Rysia managed large-scale artist projects for Urs Fischer and Carsten Holler and has developed art programming for clients including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Douglas Elliman, and Wright Auctions. Prior to that, Rysia led Gagosian Gallery’s global art fair program and special projects during her 10 years working at the gallery.
Jessy Arisohn, Partner
Jessy helped launch 291 Agency in 2021, leading museum relations, artist relations, and strategy for the agency artists. In 2015, Jessy had co-founded Arisohn + Murphy, a project management and strategic consulting firm for art-focused projects. Jessy worked with international galleries on their US representation, developing client and museum relations for their artists, and overseeing the buildouts and launches for new galleries in NYC. Jessy began her career at Gagosian Gallery where she oversaw the exhibition program and special projects during her 10 years at the gallery.
Melissa Netecke, Head of Business Development
Melissa brings over 15 years of expertise in the art and luxury sectors, focused on globally recognized art and brand collaborations. Working at Art Basel for a decade, she oversaw strategy and development of partnerships across the fair’s flagship locations in Hong Kong, Basel, Paris, and Miami Beach.
Eboni Gates, Senior Advisor and Agent
Eboni’s focus is on fostering impactful collaborations, strengthening museum relationships, and working to empower artists. She brings over two decades of experience in arts administration, strategic philanthropy, and arts advisory. Specific areas of expertise include advancing cultural institutions through strategic partnerships, expanding leadership representation, and driving major initiatives.
Gan Uyeda, Senior Agent
Gan was previously a Partner at François Ghebaly Gallery, where he was instrumental in expanding the gallery’s program and operations, working closely with high-profile artists while specializing in museum relations, sales, writing, and strategy.
Erika Weiss, Senior Agent
Erika leads gallery relations, strategy, and development for a number of contemporary artists. She has over 15 years of experience within the international art market across New York and Berlin.
Anthony Gelfand, Agent
Anthony works day-to-day with artists and their Studios, supporting gallery relationships, exhibitions and project management. He has over seven years of comprehensive artist management experience having worked closely with a range of prominent contemporary artists and artist estates.
Cobi Krieger, Agent and Operations Manager
Cobi works as an arts administrator, researcher, and writer, helping to coordinate artistic projects.Previously he has worked with commercial, civic, and nonprofit arts organizations, researching and managing large-scale public projects.
Emily White, Agent
Emily works with artists and their studios to help execute exhibitions, public commissions, and more. She has 12 years of experience within the international art market working across New York, London, and Tel Aviv.
Barbara Babcock, Associate Agent
Barbara works with artists to execute exhibitions, as well as doing research, and writing for 291. She has worked extensively within both gallery and art advisory settings with specialties in Modern, Contemporary, and Outsider art, and provenance research.
Camilla Artale, Operations Associate
Georgia Collyer, Operations Associate
Georgina Johnston-Watt, Coordinating Agent
Anna Staub, Coordinating Agent
Melissa Yeh, Executive Assistant
291 AGENCY