Erica A.E. Claus, M.A., ISA AM, Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts, Fine Art

Contact

Erica A.E. Claus
ISA member since Oct 22, 2012

(613) 716-7373 (Mobile)

73 Marlowe Crescent
Ottawa, ON K1S 1H7 map

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About

Erica Claus and Associates Appraisals

Established in Ottawa in 2012, the firm is defined by professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, accuracy and timeliness. Training in conflict resolution complements the appraisal practice and helps us assist clients with sensitivity. 

Services include appraisal reports for cultural property donation, disposition, insurance (coverage, damage, loss), estate; appraisal reviews; research; writing; private collections/wealth management (inventories, appraisals, catalogues); collections disposition for downsizing clients (collectors and artists).

Clients include individuals, executors, legal firms, insurers, museums, galleries, libraries, archives, public institutions, associations and governments.

Assignments large or small, challenging or straightforward, commonplace or rare, are all accorded the same attention to detail and thoroughness.

Erica Claus received Accreditation (ISA AM) from the International Society of Appraisers in 2012, signifying that she satisfies Member level requirements and demonstrates knowledge in her field through education and specialty expert work in her field (art, decorative arts and ethnology).  

Ms. Claus has lived in Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Madras and Berlin, and has travelled throughout the world (Europe, Asia, Africa, North America), consulting museums and galleries as well as attending international art fairs in Toronto, Montreal, Venice, Kassel, Berlin.

Ms. Claus is trilingual (English, French, German), with rudimentary Tamil, and is available for speaking engagements and travel. 

Career

Erica Claus was appointed Secretary to the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board in 2008 and served three years reviewing approximately 3,000 appraisals for cultural property of outstanding significance and national importance being donated to institutions in Canada. Prior to this she served as Head of the Cultural, Academic Relations and Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of Canada in Berlin (2005-2008).  Ms. Claus has held numerous positions in culture, arts and heritage over a thirty year career in the public sector, working with cultural institutions in Canada and internationally prior to joining the private sector.  

Specialist Certification

Core Course in Appraisal Studies, International Society of Appraisers (ISA) (Chicago) 2009; Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), American Association of Appraisers (Boston) 2012; USPAP update courses in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2021; Fine Art Specialty Course, ISA (Chicago) 2012.

Education

Graduate Diploma in Conflict Resolution, Law Faculty Carleton University (Ottawa) 2013; M.A. Anthropology, Carleton University 1982; Certificate in Tamil Language and Culture, Madurai Kamaraj University (Madurai) 1981; B. A. Anthropology and Museology, University of British Columbia (Vancouver) 1978; Diploma of Collegial Studies in Fine Art, Vanier College (Montreal) 1973.

Anthropological Fieldwork in Madurai, South India: specializing in Indian art, Tamil language, literature and culture (1980-1981). 

International Innovation

In 2000, upon invitation of the Secretary of State of the U.S.A., Ms. Claus joined the International Visitor Leadership Program on a "Cultural Heritage Preservation Tour" to meet with scholars, art historians, museologists and policy makers to discuss trends in collections management.  

In 2007 Ms. Claus organized a delegation of 12 scholars, museum directors and curators from Germany and Switzerland for a study tour of Canadian Indigenous historical and contemporary art, the most extensive and in-depth effort of this nature at the time. The group visited museums, galleries, artist studios and Indigenous cultural centres to study art. 

Biography

Born in Montreal of post-WWII refugees from Europe, Erica Claus is married to anthropologist, art historian and museologist, Dr. Stephen R. Inglis. They have two daughters.