Inside the Wild World of Charity Auctions

Benefit auctions, popping up every spring like Park Avenue tulips, have become about as ubiquitous as art fairs and openings. Charity sales are the primary means by which artists can pack a philanthropic punch, but they can be an exasperating staple of New York’s art-world calendar, burdening the artists who donate work with drawbacks and tax disadvantages.

People have been questioning the model for years, but these conversations tend to stall in the absence of alternatives. As artist Laurie Simmons said, “If [artists] put on a talent show, could we get as many people to come and buy tickets? I don’t think so.”