How to get an official artist value certification (AKOUN certificate)?

Get an officially certified artist value!

The artist's merit certification is very important for clients because it means that the valuation of your work has been assessed and certified by independent experts . It is a guarantee of seriousness that proves the interest and positioning of your work on the art market.

What do I get with the certification package?

Once your certification has been established, you benefit from:

• A superb official certificate, downloadable in PDF format
• A link on Artmajeur or your certification and publicly accessible to all collectors around the world
• Listing of your quotation on the database of international quotations available on AKOUN.COM
• The referencing of your quotation on the reference book "la cote des Peintres", available on AMAZON, and in all good bookstores
• Label "Note from the certified artist" on your Artmajeur profile

Why is it important to obtain an official certified artist value?

AKOUN certification allows you to justify the value of your work for a certain format, at a certain time. It can be used as evidence for insurance, as part of an inheritance/donation inventory, but above all to justify your rating to your customers and professionals in the sector (galleries, agents, auctioneers).

Certification has many benefits:

• Allows buyers, sellers, merchants, auctioneers, experts with insurance companies, brokers, museum curators and estate notaries to have a solid starting point before any intervention.
• This shows that the artist has achieved a certain level of recognition
• Reassures customers with an estimate of the artist made by a recognized third party
• Raises awareness

How to order certification by AKOUN ?

Before all,  Check the pre-requisites

1. Go to: My account > My purchases
2. Select the AKOUN CERTIFICATION and proceed to payment
3. Go to: My account > Presentation > Artist value and complete your application

How do I add sold works / supporting documents?

You can show works of art sold on Artmajeur, or sold elsewhere online or offline.
Follow the instructions on this page:
Add sold works

How do I send my application to the experts?

You must provide all your account information. Documents sent by e-mail are not accepted.

1. Go to: My account > Presentation > Certification
2. Click on the current certification request
3. Carefully complete all the information requested:
   • Check the prices of your works for sale
     Present at least 10 works for sale with the prices displayed, so that the experts can have an idea of the prices you are asking. If you've never sold before, learn how to price your artwork
     
     
   • 3 or more successful sales (if you have already made documented sales):
     Sales can be substantiated by sales certificates, invoices, public sales data or appropriate documents which can be studied by experts.
     If you cannot document the sales, you can still send your application, it will be evaluated by the experts as in public auctions.
     
     
   • Biographical elements
     Provide your biography with details of your major accomplishments, significant career events, exhibitions, awards, etc.
     
     
   • Up-to-date pricing
     Check all your artwork for sale with up-to-date prices, as experts will verify your current production and prices.
     
     
   • Perfect presentation
     Make sure your whole presentation is perfect, a good presentation increases the perceived value of your works.
     
     
4. Click on the button: Send to experts
   IMPORTANT: Once your file is complete, you must send the request to the expert using the button at the bottom of your certification page. Your application is not considered until you have sent it to the expert!

Can I still modify my application after sending it to the experts?

Yes, even when your file has been sent to the expert, you can continue to modify it if necessary. You will receive an email notification when your rating is set within approximately 15 days.

How long does it take to get my Artist Worth Certification?

Once your application has been sent to the experts, you will receive your downloadable certificate in PDF format over 15 days.

For how long will the certification be valid?

The certification is usually valid for 18 months. After this period, it is recommended to renew it in order to keep it as accurate and close to reality as possible.

Can I refuse my certification if it does not suit me ?

Yes, when you receive your certification, you can accept or refuse it:

• If you accept it, it will then appear in the next edition of the AKOUN paper book, sold in bookstores, at FNAC and on AMAZON. It will also appear on your Artmajeur profile (unless you deactivate its display in the SETTINGS section).
• If you refuse it, it will not be published and will only remain on your private account (no refund will be made).

How do I calculate the price of my works based on the certification?

The certification does not oblige you to give a particular price to your works, you remain completely free of your price strategy. You can sell works of similar size at a similar price and calculate the prices for larger or smaller works by adjusting the price proportionally.
Smaller works may be priced "lower" than the prorated price, and larger works may be priced "higher" than the prorated price. There is no obligation: you decide.
Some artists voluntarily offer their work at a lower price than their rating as a commercial gesture, but we do not recommend this practice.

How is the artist's value established by the experts?

Since 1985, Mr Akoun has developed an artist's quotation based on a standard format of 65x50 cm . Thus, all of the artist's values can be easily compared for a work of similar size.

To establish the certification, the committee of experts meets under the direction of Mr. Akoun. The committee is made up of an auctioneer, a dealer, one of his collaborators (sometimes two) and he always invites a collector, a bargain hunter or an art broker.

Each of them gives an average value compared to the 65x50 cm format (eg: 15P format).

If there are five people, the auctioneer's rating will be "three", that of Mr. Akoun "two" and that of the others "one".

Example: The auctioneer gave 300 euros , Mr. Akoun gave 400 then we have 400, 500 and 600. We will calculate the value as follows: (300x3) + (400x2) + 400 + 500 + 600. That is 900 + 800 + 400 + 500 + 600 = 3200. This sum will be divided by eight. The final artist value will be 400 euros for a 65x50 cm painting.

How do I get the most out of my Certified Artist value?

Be sure to communicate as much as possible about obtaining your certification!

• Post your certification or the link to it on your Facebook, Instagram etc...
• Talk about your certification on your blog, your website, your newsletter, inform your friends and your audience
• Print your official certificate and display it in your workshop, present it to the public on your stand during your exhibitions
• Always present your certificate when negotiating with customers
• Make sure you always have your certificate available to your professional contacts (art galleries, agents)

What kind of works can be evaluated?

Certifications are available for several types of works (painting, sculpture, works on photography paper, etc.)

Who carries out the certifications?

The certifications are carried out by Mr AKOUN and his team. Mr AKOUN is the publisher of the AKOUN guide, Bestseller of art information books since 1985.

Can I order certification if I don't have proof of sale?

Yes, in this case the experts will provide an estimate as in public auctions.

Can I send my documents by email?

No, the file must be done directly on your account

I already have a certification, can I have it reassessed?

Yes, it is recommended to have your artistic side reassessed every year, or every 2 years at the most. To order a new certification, use the section: MY ACCOUNT > MY PURCHASES.

I have a certification ordered directly from AKOUN , can I have it displayed on Artmajeur?

No, for reasons of intellectual property of the data, we can only display the certifications carried out on Artmajeur. You must order a certification on Artmajeur.

Can I request a refund for my certification?

No, established certification is non-refundable.

How to contact Mr AKOUN?

For any information concerning your current certification, publication in the AKOUN guide, or your subscription to the AKOUN database, you can contact Mr Akoun directly on the following page:
https://www.artmajeur.com/jacques-armand-akoun