Drew Watson
Managing Director
- Organisation
- Bank of America
- Biography
- Drew Watson is a Managing Director and Head of Art Services with Bank of America in New York, New York. Drawing on 20 years of experience in art and finance industries, he leads Bank of America’s engagement with the art world. Over the course of his career, Drew has developed a thoughtful understanding of the issues that can impact the financial lives of art collectors, their families, artists, and arts institutions. With a unique ability to understand clients with a passion for art, he provides customized solutions to integrate art and collectables into their overall wealth management strategy. Drew and his team of specialists serve clients throughout the collecting lifecycle by delivering a comprehensive suite of art finance and advisory services. Their expertise focuses on art lending, art advisory, wealth planning, nonprofit services, and art market trends and insights. Drew helps clients generate liquidity from their collections through art lending as part of their art collection strategy. For collectors, heirs, or institutions wishing to sell their art and collectibles, Drew and his team can help optimize the overall process through partnerships with leading auction houses. His group also helps clients plan for the disposition of their collections and carry out their philanthropic objectives, including donations to museums and other strategic gifts. Prior to joining Bank of America, Drew was an executive at Christie’s in New York, where he oversaw strategy, P&L, deal structuring, and teams responsible for planning and executing over $100 million in auction and private sale business annually. Previously, he was a private wealth management associate and started his career as a manager and consultant for nonprofit arts organizations. Drew holds a BA in French and Art History from Columbia University, where he also trained as a classical musician in a joint program with The Juilliard School. He also holds an MBA from INSEAD business school and earned a certificate in Art Market Economics from Christie’s Education. He is fluent in French and proficient in Italian. Drew speaks regularly on art world-related topics at conferences, art fairs, and educational institutions, including the Art Business Conference, TEFAF New York, Columbia Business School, Berkeley Art Finance and Law Symposium, and the Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Drew is also a regular media contributor to national news organizations including: CNBC, The New York Times, The Financial Times, Barron’s PENTA, Business Insider, The Art Newspaper, Artnet News, and the Deloitte Art & Finance report. Drew is an active volunteer in the arts and cultural sector and serves on the Global Advisory Board of TEFAF, The European Fine Art Foundation. He also chairs the Governance Committee of the Holt/Smithson Foundation, a foundation that promotes the legacies of artists Nancy Holt and Robert Smithson.