Code of Ethics

Founded in 2002, NADA is a market-making nonprofit membership association with more than 500 members: galleries, art professionals, publications, and institutions who believe our industry works better when people work together. 

NADA believes that a community thrives best when its members are committed to observing the highest ethical and professional standards in their dealings with each other and with others in the broader community that it serves. By joining NADA, members have each acknowledged their compliance with the code of ethical and professional practices to be observed in their relations with each other and their clients, artists, and other dealers. 

  • NADA members shall strive to promote NADA’s mission as set forth in its mission statement.

  • NADA members shall be honest and fair in their dealings with others and uphold the highest ethical standards in all of their business activities and relationships.

  • NADA members are committed to the highest standards in selecting and presenting works of art and in the education of the public in all aspects of contemporary art.

  • NADA members shall respect and maintain the confidentiality of confidential information obtained from NADA or other NADA members.

  • NADA members shall observe all laws and regulations applicable to their professional activities.

  • NADA members who represent artists shall strive to fulfill their fiduciary duty to those artists by acting at all times in the best interest of those artists and by setting forth in a written agreement the material terms of their business relationship.

  • NADA members shall not knowingly deal in fakes or stolen artwork, and when selling a work of art shall provide a written bill of sale indicating, to the extent it is known, the name of the artist, the date of execution, the size and medium, signature or inscription, edition size if relevant, provenance, exhibition history and literature, and condition.

  • NADA members shall respect the moral and intellectual property rights of others, seeking permissions and licenses and crediting the rights holder whenever appropriate.

  • NADA Members shall conduct business in a way that is inclusive for artists and staff of every race, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability status, and socioeconomic class.

  • NADA members shall not discriminate in the dealings with others based on age, disability, race, gender, national origin, or religion.

  • NADA members shall not disparage publicly other NADA members, their work practices or those they represent. In the event a NADA member becomes aware that any other NADA member has undertaken, is undertaking, or is about to undertake, any illegal or unethical behavior or any other behavior that substantially violates this Code, it should report such behavior to the NADA board.

  • NADA members are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable arts community; and NADA members are committed to rejecting all forms of racist or discriminatory behavior that perpetuate the injustices of systemic racism.

  • NADA reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to suspend or expel any member who violates this code.