Bio

Tracey Capes has been passionate about the visual arts her entire life. For over 25 years she has been providing art advisory and appraisal assistance to departments of government, corporate and small business clients, public institutions and private collections through her advisory firm Tracey Capes Fine Art.

Tracey is a member in good standing with the International Society of Appraisers and is certified in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practise (USPAP) of the Appraisal Foundation.

Prior to setting up her own business Tracey held positions as Executive Director of the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Archivist and Sale Manager for Open Studio, and Artistic Director for Arts Etobicoke. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she completed a double major in both Fine Art History and Fine Art Studio.

Her experience includes collections maintenance, policy writing, and curating numerous exhibitions. Tracey has orchestrated commissions for companies including Canada Goose, Etobicoke Hydro, and VIA Rail. She has organized multiple visual art juries, and acted as a juror on many occasions. Tracey has also assisted with special event planning for organizations like the Toronto International Art Fair, Partners-in-Art, and Art Gallery of Ontario.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

1993 - present PRINCIPAL - TRACEY CAPES FINE ART

Provision of professional advice, budget and project management in the acquisition of original works of art for departments of government, corporate and business environments, public institutions and private collections. The company provides services including acquisitions, budget planning, writing, marketing, public relations, and organizing commissions.

Working with individual artists, non profit and commercial art galleries, and artist co-operatives in the education, research, and understanding of original art is important to my business to provide clients the expertise they are looking for.

Archival services and appraisals are also offered to clients including inventory, cataloguing, condition reports, valuation and documentation of collections.

2009 VIP COORDINATOR – ART Toronto, M.M.P.I. Canada

Organize special tours and activities for VIP visitors to the 10th annual art fair which takes place annually in October at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Working with staff based in Vancouver and volunteers in Toronto to outreach and create special experiences with private, corporate and institutional art collections.

1990 – 1998 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION

Responsible for the organization and implementation of the annual festival which included cash prizes and the participation of approximately 500 artists in 15 categories on Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall. During my tenor with this event, the number of applications received grew from 600 artist submissions to over 1200 submissions a year.

Work with the Board of Directors, committees, liaise with media, office staff and staff at City Hall. Prepare and oversee marketing and public relations activities. Organize and oversee jury process. Negotiate all contracts and permits for facilities, police, and licences etc., including co-ordination of all on site technical and physical requirements.

1989 - 1993 MARKETING MANAGER & ARCHIVIST - OPEN STUDIO

Coaching artist members with their marketing skills, and represent the facility to the public for Canada's foremost artist-run printmaking facility. In 1991 the studio purchased the largest etching press in Canada and dedicated it in my honour for my work with this facility.

Responsible to liaise with clients and institutions, and develop new markets for fine art prints. Clients included organizations like the National Gallery of Canada, Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Royal Bank of Canada, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Knowledge of art archival procedures, I was responsible for curating for the studio and keeping all records up to date. Participation on special projects including: 20th Anniversary poster, the Publishing Committee, and the 100 Prints Fundraising Committee.

1990 - 1991 CURATOR - MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS

Organization and implementation of a touring exhibition of original prints from China. This project included not only curating but also budget preparation, marketing, protocol in preparation of the openings, overseeing the production and distribution of all printed materials and co-ordination and representation of the exhibition's tour from Toronto to North Bay, London, and Ottawa, Ontario. Liaise with museum community, various levels of government, the media, and representatives from Chinese government.

1985 - 1989 PROGRAM DIRECTOR - ARTS ETOBICOKE

Responsible for organizing all artistic programs for the community arts council in a variety of venues including an annual juried art show, a three day children’s festival and a four day crafts festival. The venues included facilities like Etobicoke City Hall, Sherway Gardens, and the Woodbine Centre. All programs required development of event budgets, contract negotiations, grant applications to government agencies, sponsorship proposals for businesses, and development and implementation of marketing and public relations activities in support of these events.

Researched and implemented the new Art Rental/Sales Program, including maintenance of artist files and slide gallery, organization of art exhibits, liaison with artists and clients, promotion, administration and budget. Approximately 40 artists were represented and over 500 works were rented or sold over three years.