We sat down with Bernadine at the launch of Access by Art Basel, powered by Arcual, to learn more about her working life and Arcual's mission.

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1. Pitch Arcual to us in two sentences?

Arcual is building the next generation of digital infrastructure for the artworld. Our technology products foster new standards for the art ecosystem, improving trust and security in transactions and exchanges.

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2. What sets Arcual apart?

Many things, but I’ll highlight two! Arcual was launched in 2022 with the backing of trusted art world power-players, the LUMA Foundation, MCH Group (the parent company of Art Basel), and BCG X in 2022. As a result of this, we understand the art-ecosystem. Arcual crafts collaborative, customisable technology products which set new standards, empower everyone to grow their practices, open new opportunities with the aim to solve long-standing challenges of this unique industry.

Secondly, the Arcual team spread out across our hubs in London, Berlin and Zurich comprises some of the most agile engineers and thinkers in the art and tech space. We are trusted by leading art world brands to build bespoke digital products which offer solutions for them.

Access by Art Basel, powered by Arcual, is a great example of this.

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3. Tell us more about Access by Art Basel?

Access by Art Basel fully integrates philanthropic giving into art sales using our seamless payment-split technology. The curated sales platform demonstrates not only what the Arcual team can build, but is also an example of a bespoke digital solution which answers the needs of the art world at this very moment.

For the first iteration of Access by Art Basel launching ahead of Art Basel Miami Beach, collectors can give back to the causes that matter most to them by pledging a customisable donation towards either The Miami Foundation or The International Committee of the Red Cross when they make a purchase request.

We are excited to launch this product with Art Basel and look forward to delivering more impact-driven solutions for the art world.

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4. Which galleries are participating in Access by Art Basel?

As a technology company trusted by collaborators like Art Basel, we have been able to onboard 15 participating exhibitors at Art Basel Miami Beach 2023 onto Access by Art Basel - a spectacular roster of galleries and artworks. I am thrilled that these include: François Ghebaly, Fredric Snitzer Gallery, Hauser & Wirth, Jessica Silverman, Karma, kaufmann repetto, Kasmin, Lehmann Maupin, Luhring Augustine, Mendes Wood DM, Mitchel-Innes & Nash, Pace Gallery, Sean Kelly, Sprüth Magers, and Tina Kim.

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5. You are a member of PAIAM, AWITA and the Worshipful Company of Art Scholars, as well as sitting on the board at We Are Museums and working as a Mentor at VERTICAL and Founder Institute. Why do these causes matter to you?

The art world can seem hierarchical and hard to enter; this year especially, it has been made apparent in art sales figures and in studies such as the UBS and Art Basel Art Market Report, that new artists and new collectors need to enter the market to keep it healthy, diverse, and creative. (Read more about Bernadine’s take on the AMR in this Blockster article). Anything I can do both in my professional and personal life to help further these goals, is something that remains very important to me.

Access by Art Basel

Learn more and request an invitation now.