Sotheby's Impact

S otheby’s firmly believes in the transformative power of art and culture, and is committed to making the art and luxury industries more inclusive, sustainable, and collaborative. Sotheby's Impact outlines our role in working with collectors, creators, and the greater arts community towards accomplishing that shared objective.

Our Social Responsibility

Promoting Access

Promote access to the art and luxury industries for historically excluded communities through education and career opportunities that break down systemic barriers and empower a diverse and inclusive business and field.

Protecting the Planet

Chart a path to a more equitable and sustainable future by reducing our carbon footprint across business operations, supporting environmental initiatives and organizations, and extending the life cycle of art and culture for generations to come.

Partnering with our Communities

Leverage our auction expertise and platform to raise funds for museums, cultural institutions, and other mission-driven organizations through benefit auctions and innovative partnerships that support the communities in which we live and work.

Our Programming

Benefit Auctions

Benefit Auctions

We support non-profit organizations and cultural institutions by facilitating benefit auctions that leverage our expertise, platform, and collector relations. By providing volunteer auctioneers for fundraising events, including charitable lots in Sotheby’s sales, hosting independent sales on our online platform, and collaborating on stand-alone benefit auctions. Through these efforts, we help raise both funds and awareness for causes ranging from environmental conservation to cultural preservation.
Arts Access & Education
We recognize the lack of accessibility across the art industry especially for historically excluded communities, and are dedicated to developing education and career pipeline programs that break down systemic barriers and empower a diverse and inclusive business and field. Through organizing gallery walks for student groups, new collector workshops, and an annual Summer Arts Academy in New York, and partnering with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations, we aim to broaden access to opportunities in the business of art.
Centering Creatives
As key influencers in the global art market, we recognize that creatives are the foundation of everything we do. We're dedicated to empowering diverse and emerging talent through mentorship, professional development, and financial support, exemplified by initiatives like our Community Gallery Program and the Jar of Love microgrant partnership with ARTNOIR. By leveraging our platform and spaces, we aim to amplify the voices and visions of artists, fostering creativity and community.
Volunteering

We are deeply committed to giving back to the communities in which we live and work. Through our global volunteering and employee donation campaigns, we bring together the collective power of our employees to drive change. As a company we believe in taking time to give back and extending our positive impact beyond the workplace.

Our Commitment

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Sotheby’s mission is to promote access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects, and our vision is to be the leading and most trusted global marketplace for art, luxury and lifestyle. Building a more inclusive community of collectors, emerging creatives, and arts workforce is a critical component of delivering this mission and vision. Our success hinges on our capacity to integrate diverse perspectives, promote belonging, and reimagine our structures while investing in our team and the broader arts community.

Sustainability

We believe in charting a path to a more sustainable future. That’s why, in addition to supporting environmental organizations, Sotheby’s is committed to reducing our carbon footprint, and collaborating with other arts institutions to change our industry’s impacts. 

“Our business model inherently supports a circular economy, but our responsibility extends far beyond art stewardship. We are committed to using our platform to raise awareness about environmental issues and inspire meaningful action across our global network. By leading with purpose and challenging the industry to rethink conventional practices, we aim to drive positive transformation in the art market.”
Catherine Almonte, Global Head of Equity & Impact

Our Team

We are dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive work culture that celebrates diversity and values the unique talents, skills, and perspectives of every individual. Our commitment is reflected in ongoing education on cultural competency and inclusive leadership, as well as opportunities for mentorship, community engagement, and regular policy reviews. Through these initiatives, we aim to strengthen connections among our employees, invest in their growth, and cultivate a workplace built on mutual support, understanding, and respect.

Responsible Practices

We are committed to upholding responsible and ethical practices in all aspects of our business. We regularly review and update our organizational structures, policies, and business strategies to promote equity and inclusion. Conducting business with integrity is not only a moral obligation but also essential to our long-term success.

Our Team

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