St. John’s University 2026 Art at Risk Conference : Presented by Alliant Private Client
Protecting, Valuing, and Insuring Art in a Changing World
Hosted by the Tobin Center for Executive Education and the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science at St. John’s University, and sponsored by Alliant Private Client, a division of Alliant Insurance Services, the 2026 Art at Risk Conference convenes leaders from fine art, insurance, risk management, law, finance, and cultural institutions to explore the evolving risks facing art and collectibles in the global marketplace.
The 2026 Art at Risk Conference is a forum for dialogue on valuation, underwriting, loss prevention, claims, art finance, estate planning, and cross-border risk, bringing together U.S. and international perspectives to address how art is protected, insured, and preserved in an increasingly complex world.
Program Overview & Agenda: The 2026 Art at Risk Conference is designed as a half-day, in-depth symposium, featuring four moderated sessions and a networking lunch. The program is structured to provide practical, scenario-based insights across the full lifecycle of art risk management.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
10 – 10:15 a.m. Opening remarks from Hank Watkins, Executive Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management and Actuarial Science introducing the day’s moderators and subject-matter experts, with an overview of global art market trends and the critical risk challenges facing collectors, institutions, and insurers.
Session I: U.S. Underwriting Perspective
10:15 – 11 a.m. - An examination of domestic art insurance dynamics, including valuation methodologies, underwriting appetite, regulatory considerations, transit and storage exposures, natural catastrophe risk, and fraud and provenance concerns—illustrated through real-world U.S. case examples.
Panelists:
Terri Tobin – Risk Management Leader, Chubb
Jessica Wessel – Director of Business Development, Gurr Johns
Muys Snijders – SVP, Head of Art Services, Private Client Select
Session II: London & Global Market Underwriting Perspective
11 – 11:45 a.m. - A global view of art underwriting from the London market, focusing on Lloyd’s syndicates, international transits, political risk, climate-related exposures, emerging perils, and how complex, high-value collections are structured and placed worldwide.
Panelists:
Manny Padilla – VP, Risk Management & Insurance MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated
Symon Bowdler – Partner and the Head of Fine Art & Specie at McGill and Partners
Ben Ashworth Partner - Specie & Fine Art at McGill and Partner
Abigail Price – Head of Fine Art and Specie for Syndicate 1221 in Lloyd’s of London
Lunch & Open Discussion
12:30 – 1:15 p.m. - A networking lunch to engage with other participants and speakers and continue the conversations from the morning’s sessions.
Session III: Loss Control & Claims Management
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - A practical discussion on protecting art before a loss and responding effectively after one occurs. Topics include risk engineering, security standards, packing and transport, restoration, valuation
Panelists:
Judd Grossman – Founder and Managing Partner of Grossman LLP
Bill Murphy – Vice President, Property Claims- PURE
Willy Hammond – Vice President, Senior Loss Control Consultant, Alliant Private Client
Melissa Apostle – AVP Loss Prevention Director at The Cincinnati Insurance Companies
Session IV: Art Finance & Estate Planning
1:15 – 2 p.m. - A forward-looking session on art as a financial asset, covering lending and collateralization, insurance requirements for art-backed loans, estate and tax planning strategies, fiduciary responsibilities, and international considerations for high-value collections.
Panelists:
Liz Von Habsburg – Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Winston Artory Group
Muys Snijders – SVP, Head of Art Services at Private Client Select
Katja Zigerlig – VP/ ART, WINE & COLLECTIBLES ADVISORY, Berkley One
Sponsorship Recognition: Alliant Private Client Alliant Private Client, a division of Alliant Insurance Services, is a leading advisor to collectors, galleries, museums, and institutions, delivering specialized risk management and insurance solutions for fine art and high-value collections worldwide, with a holistic approach that extends to luxury homes, personal liability, and other complex personal risks.
Tickets: Individual tickets to Art at Risk are complimentary, thanks to the generous support of Alliant Private Client, a division of Alliant Insurance Services.
Your ticket includes full access to the conference as well as a networking lunch with senior leaders from the art, insurance, and financial advisory communities.
While attendance is complimentary, we invite guests to consider a suggested donation of $50 in support of St. John’s University’s Hearts on Fire Campaign.
Hearts on Fire is a transformative $400 million initiative dedicated to expanding access and opportunity, advancing academic excellence, and investing strategically in St. John’s campuses. Grounded in the University’s Catholic and Vincentian values, the campaign is focused on people, purpose, and impact.
Learn more about the Hearts on Fire Campaign here.