Peter Held, ASA

Election Biography

Peter Held, principal owner, established Peter Held Art Appraisals & Associates in 2014, based in Phoenix, Arizona. The firm is a national personal property firm specializing in post-World War II modern and contemporary art and fine appraisals as well as consulting to museums, artist's estates, and collectors. He has been an ASA member since 2013 and was designated AM Personal Property-Fine Arts in 2015, ASA in 2020.

He holds a BS degree in Art from SUNY Brockport, NY, and an MA in Museum Studies from Oregon State University. In the course of Peter Held's impressive three-decade career as a museum director and contemporary art curator, he has organized more than 200 exhibitions, including seven national traveling shows. Held is the author of numerous articles on contemporary art and craft and is the editor of, and an essayist for, ten books.

Campaign Statement

I am currently running for the position of Vice President on the Personal Property Committee. Since becoming a member of ASA, I have valued the support the organization has afforded me as I transitioned my museum career into the appraisal field. Previously I worked for 25 years in the fine art museum field as a director and curator, with a specialty in craft-based media. I have a wealth of experience in non-profit management, financial management, strategic planning, and fundraising. I have been committed to serving the public through education through the arts. I believe that my prior expertise and skills will be beneficial while serving as Vice President on the Personal Property Committee.

As a museum professional I served on several regional and national boards and grant review panels including the ; National Council on Education for the Arts; MacArthur Fellowship Grant Program; Foundation; and Artists Grant Program. This service to the broader arts community provided me with in-depth knowledge on a national level and provided me a unique perspective on the necessary management tools required to operate a successful and relevant organization.

Since entering the appraisal field I have been impressed with and valued the collegiality of appraisers, sharing their expertise and wide ranging experiences. Through courses offered by highly knowledgeable instructors, diverse conference offerings, and one-on-one mentoring, I'm enthused about the future of the field and my role in it. Having served on the Personal Property Committee the last five years, I have a firm grasp of their duties and responsibilities. It has been a privilege to serve with a very committed group of appraisers with a wide range of experience.

The mission of the Personal Property Discipline is to be the preeminent leader in appraisal profession and promote personal property appraisers through education, practice, and advocacy. ASA is a large professional association that strives to hold the highest professional standards in appraisal practice, and I am committed to its mission. ASA needs to be responsive to a changing environment, whether economic, demographic, or changing laws that affect appraisal practice. As Vice President of the PP Committee, I will devote my time and energy to ensure that ASA serves all its members in a meaningful way. Thank you for considering my nomination, it is appreciated.