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Initiatives in Art and Culture Will Hold its 15th Annual Conference in New York July 07, 2025 (0 comments)
New York, NY--Initiatives in Art and Culture (IAC) will hold its 15th annual International Gold and Diamond Conference July 14 through July 16, in New York. The theme is “Eye on the Prize: Towards Continuing Improvement in Practice and Artistry.”
[Ute Decker, artist-jeweler. Photo credit: Alun Callender Photography]
“Since 2011, Initiatives in Art & Culture has been organizing conferences that provide a platform for cross-disciplinary discussion, debate and collaboration regarding critical issues in the jewelry, and precious metals and stones sectors,” said Lisa Koenigsberg, founder/president of IAC “The aim is to engender new thinking, innovative approaches, fruitful partnerships and initiatives in support of responsible practice writ large while championing artisanry and creative vision at the highest levels.”
Confirmed speakers include Ivor Agyeman-Duah, director of the Manhyia Palace Museum and Ghana’s chief negotiator on cultural restitution; Charlie Betts of Betts Metals; Rachel Brandrick of 886 by The Royal Mint; Brad Brooks-Rubin, partner at Arktouros and former U.S. State Department advisor, Laurent E. Cartier, head of Special Initiatives, Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) and co-founder of Sustainable Pearls; Emefa Cole, V & A curator and jeweler; Nicolas Luchsinger, CEO, Buccellati; and John Mulligan, head of Sustainability, World Gold Council.
A central component of the conference will be questions surrounding climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation and value retention in producing countries. IAC will also examine issues of provenance and ownership through the lens of restitution and repatriation, while continuing its exploration of nomenclature, traceability, and the language that underpins the evolving discourse of responsible sourcing.
A welcome reception will be July 14 at Heritage Auctions New York headquarters, 445 Park Avenue. It will feature Roberta Kramer, VP of strategy and business development at Heritage.
IAC’s annual industry awards ceremony will be held July 15, honoring individuals whose leadership and long-standing commitment to transformation have reshaped the industry. The eighth Responsible Practice in Jewelry Leadership Award will be presented to artist-jeweler Ute Decker, recognized for her advocacy of environmental stewardship, fairness in materials sourcing and the importance of transparency and ethics in the creative process. The fifth Award for Extraordinary Contributions to the Diamond and Jewelry Industries will be awarded to David Block, CEO of Sarine Technologies, whose advancements in diamond traceability and data-driven transparency have played a critical role in modernizing the industry’s infrastructure and consumer trust.
Registration for the 15th Annual Gold + Diamond Conference is now open on Eventbrite, and attendees are strongly encouraged to reserve their place early.
To learn more about Initiatives in Art and Culture, or view the full list of speakers, visit www.artinitiatives.com, call 646-485-1952, or email info@artinitatives.com.