United Talent Agency launches new division to represent artists

Global talent and literary agency UTA has launched UTA Fine Arts, a new practice devoted to the representation of fine artists: painters, sculptors, photographers, mixed media artists and other top talent in the contemporary art world.

UTA Fine Arts, a wholly-owned division of UTA, will be led by former fine art attorney Joshua Roth, who has joined the firm.

UTA said that with popular recognition of contemporary art at an all-time high, a myriad of new opportunities—and new complexities—have materialized for studio artists.  Under the leadership of Joshua Roth, UTA Fine Arts will provide artists representation akin to the level of service available to their peers in the worlds of film, television, music, and literature, negotiating such initiatives as project financing, public and private commissions, and identifying corporate partners and institutions, as well as navigating new terrain such as opportunities in entertainment and media, new digital distribution platforms, and building licensing and endorsement relationships with luxury and other types of brands.

“UTA Fine Arts is a natural extension of what UTA already does, helping artists achieve their hopes and dreams through cultural expertise, innovative strategies and superior market intelligence,” said UTA chairman Jim Berkus.  “We want fine artists to feel that they have someone in their corner, providing the infrastructure to advance and protect their business interests so they may do their best work.  We’re pleased to have Josh join UTA to lead this important initiative.”

Roth, newly appointed as Head of UTA Fine Arts, most recently spent six years as Chair of the Art Law Department at leading Century City-based law firm Glaser Weil, where he led the firm’s practice in artist representation, gallery and dealer representation, art financing and acquisition services.

“We believe there is room for a serious, professional representation structure in the art world, one that helps artists gain greater control of their careers and opens the doors to new and better opportunities,” said Roth. “UTA’s history of representing many of the world’s most original artistic voices makes it the perfect platform for this endeavor.”

UTA Fine Arts will operate alongside UTA’s existing representation services across all areas of entertainment and media.