Richan Art is an an advisory firm dedicated to art and its role in the urban landscape.
Founded by Emma Landis while in her first year as a PhD candidate in the department of Art History and Visual Studies at the University of Victoria, Richan Art initially focused on private art acquisition and collections management. The scope of services has grown significantly since then, with a focus on public art and several major commissioned public art projects underway for some of Canada’s largest developers. The long-lasting and impactful nature of these projects require coordination with multiple stakeholders, including the city, community, artist, and developer.
Richan Art’s goal is to create landmark art destinations that elicit admiration of residents and investors. Our team is equipped to undertake projects with a range of timelines and budgets, with services that include budgeting, scheduling, supervising contractors and staff, and coordination with the city and community. We facilitate the contractual process with artists, including intellectual property, copyrights, and insurance, lead art selection committee meetings, set agendas, and prepare presentations and reports. Above all, Richan Art is about art stewardship. We advise and facilitate acquisitions, crating, shipping, installation, and art conservation with sensitivity to confidentiality.
Emma Landis,
Founder and Lead Art Consultant
Emma understands the resounding power of art to enrich our lives.
Emma is an arts professional with a breadth of experience in academia and the art world. Through her doctoral and master’s research, she has demonstrated a commitment to the life and work of Clyfford Still, an instrumental yet reclusive leader of the Abstract Expressionist movement. Emma has over ten years of art world experience ranging from auction houses to galleries, and collections management to public art. As the Principal of Richan Art, Emma is deeply committed to activating the goals of her clients and personally oversees each project.
Emma is a PhD (ABD) in Art History & Visual Studies (University of Victoria), MA in Visual Studies (Western University), and BAH in Art History (Queen’s University). In honour and remembrance of her late father, she and her husband established the Donald Stuart Richan Research Award at the University of Regina for students specializing in history or art of the Canadian prairies. Emma lives in Toronto and enjoys travelling across Canada to visit family and beloved clients.
Alex Ashrafi, Senior Project Manager
Alex is the organizational mastermind behind Richan Art who ensures the smooth operation of the office and timely execution of each project. She is solution-oriented and has a keen attention to detail, ensuring that no point is overlooked, while remaining sensitive to the needs of clients and partners. Alex is based in Calgary and is responsible for Richan Art’s outreach across North America and Europe. Alex’s goal at Richan Art is to develop and enrich client relationships to always exceed expectations.
Alex is a champion highland dancer, and shares her passion for dance, the arts, and nature with her young children. She is an avid explorer and some of her favourite travels have been to Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, England, Scotland, and Ireland. She is an honours graduate of Queen’s University.