Our story

city|art insider has been created in 2012 by the French historian of art Caroline Etter and the Canadian entrepreneur Carolyn Smith in Paris. They associated their expertise to make the French art scene more accessible for art lovers and art collectors from the all world.

10 years later, city|art insider is run by Caroline Etter, working with independent guides and consultants, all active professionals in the Paris art world. Each has their own area of specialty and we match them carefully according to our clients' interests. With whom you work depends on the style of art you wish to acquire or tour, from antiquities to contemporary art and photography.

Navigating through the exceptionally rich artistic Parisian offer is a big challenge - with the hundreds of art foundations, art galleries, museums, artists studios, events and always fascinating - we keep up for you!

Bios

After graduating from the Sorbonne University Paris, Caroline Etter started working at the Villa Médicis in Rome and at Bibliothèque nationale de France. Since then she’s been a curator, a journalist, a gallery manager working with private and corporate clients. She is teaching contemporary art and digital in art management schools and French university and is also accredited guide for French museums. She’s lived in London, Munich, Rome and Paris; speaks French, Italian, English and German; and grown an international network of art world colleagues on which she draws for city | art insider clients.

Following a career in public broadcasting, then a marketing consultant, Carolyn Smith is now a certified therapist in Toronto (contact).

Notre histoire

city | art insider a été créée par l’historienne de l’art Caroline Etter et l’entrepreneur canadienne Carolyn G Smith pour rendre la scène artistique parisienne plus accessible aux amateurs et aux collectionneurs d’art du monde entier, principalement en art contemporain.

10 ans plus tard, city|art insider est dirigé par Caroline Etter, en équipe avec un réseau de guides indépendants et experts, tous professionnels du milieu de l’art à Paris. En fonction de vos centres d’intérêt et de vos recherches, art contemporain, céramique, antiquités, nous choisirons la personne la plus indiquée.

Avec sa centaine de centres d’art, de galeries d’art, de musées, d’artistes, d’événements, évoluer dans la scène artistique aussi exceptionnelle que Paris est un enjeu passionnant et sans cesse à renouveler - city|art insider veille pour vous !

Bios

Diplômée de l'université de Paris La Sorbonne, Caroline Etter a commencé à travailler à la Villa Médicis à Rome puis à la Bibliothèque nationale de France. Elle a été journaliste, commissaire d’exposition et manager de galerie d’art. Elle enseigne l’art contemporain, l’art numérique et le marché de l’art contemporain à l’Université de Cergy et dans des écoles spécialisées et est également guide-conférencière professionnelle. Elle a habité Londres, Rome et Munich et Paris et a développé un réseau international dans le domaine artistique qu'elle met désormais au service des clients de city | art insider.

Après une carrière dans l’audiovisuel public au Canada, puis avoir été consultante marketing, Carolyn Smith est aujourd’hui une psychothérapeute assermentée à Toronto (contact).

"The highlights of my visit were the fantastic and approachable personality of my guide Caroline. She made the art accessible and enjoyable all while educating and enlightening me. She was able to show me things that I would never have had access to."

-- Catherine, Los Angeles

"Whether it’s helping you to plan a significant acquisition for your collection or simply immersing you in the vibrant behind-the-scenes life in the city’s coolest contemporary galleries and artist studios, the dynamic duo seem to know everyone and have access everywhere." Read more...

-- Norman Howe, President, Butterfield & Robinson

"It was amazing to get an expert critique at the fair, as well as the history and background of each artist. I enjoyed meeting the artists and hearing how they conceived and executed their pieces -- being introduced to ideas and conversations I wouldn't have had access to without city | art insider."

-- Meg, Geneva

"We were new to art buying in Paris and Caroline made the experience much less intimidating. Her extensive knowledge of the art community meant that she could put together a portfolio of potential artists that really suited our tastes.

It was obvious that the galleries knew and respected her. As a result, those who met us were welcoming and attentive.

Caroline is also a great tour guide who loves to share her knowledge and passion for her beautiful city. The lunch spot she chose for us was almost as fabulous as the art we acquired!"

-- Laurie, Toronto

"You two are brilliant! This art experience is exactly what I have been needing to push me into the Paris art scene.

My head, absolutely filled with wonderful information and images... Thank you for introducing me to your world."

-- Sally B, Paris

"It was such a pleasure spending time with you and learning from your tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in the arts...

To roam the streets of Paris and take in all the diverse art and culture, and of course the cafes, patisseries and wine was such a treat!  

Having no real agenda, it was so easy to just let you guide us around the galleries that were showing the most relevant work of the moment."

-- Alli, Alberta

"Carolyn and Caroline / What a great team! / Galleries to Auction Druot / From Slick to Paris Photo / We learned the scene / And had fun in between!" Merci beaucoup!!

-- Anne – ABCs of Art Collecting

"Paris has everything for the art lover and the collector. With an abundance of art fairs, auctions and galleries, it is great to have someone with extensive local knowledge on your side.  We found working with city | art insider immensely helpful and very enjoyable.:

-- Jeff– ABCs of Art Collecting