| By analyzing auction prices, this thesis addresses whether museum exhibitions of contemporary art impact emerging artists' commercial success. In order to attain a successful comparison between auction prices and the contemporary museum, it is crucial to discuss the history of the museum, as well as four key factors that influence an artist's commercial auction market. These factors include participation in a museum show, gallery representation, a strong collector base, and inclusion in a number of publications. Out of these four components, this study focuses primarily on museum group shows of emerging artists.;This thesis seeks to determine the relevance of museum exhibitions from 2009--2017, and whether artists' inclusion in prominent museum group shows impacts their commercial careers. The selected museum exhibitions took place in New York, the prime location for contemporary art in America since the late 1950s. Emerging artists are defined as born after 1970, and must have over 15 auction results on the artnet Price Database to be considered artists with an auction record. The chosen artists each participated in New York group shows whose mission statements aim to identify and exhibit emerging artists with great potential, and include PS1 Greater New York, the Whitney Biennial, and the New Museum Triennial. |
