'What does the second F in Tefaf truly stand for?'

"In establishing the fair, a foundation (stichting in Dutch) seemed the most fitting legal entity for the purpose of creating an event 'run by dealers, for dealers... so that nobody had an advantage over anybody else.' That Tefaf operates as a not-for-profit differentiates it from other major art fair brands. There are no shareholders demanding a return, no owners to primp the thing for sale."

"It is a completely different animal [from other fair organisations]. The money it makes is reinvested to make it the best possible event for the community. Tefaf sets out to work for its dealers, in other words—to facilitate 'what they're trying to achieve', and to amplify 'what they believe in'."

"Tefaf Maastricht can speak most authentically of a community that reaches beyond its exhibitors to encompass the curators, art historians and collectors who convene there every year. It's a bit like the Davos of the art world. It tries to create links that go beyond the relationship between a dealer and a collector."

Tefaf, founded in 1988 by a group of dealers, stands for The European Fine Art Fair and operates uniquely as a not-for-profit foundation rather than a commercial enterprise. This legal structure was chosen to ensure fair treatment among dealers with no competitive advantages. Unlike other major art fairs owned by shareholders, Tefaf is governed by an executive committee and board of trustees comprising dealers, collectors, and museum directors. Revenue is reinvested to enhance the event for participants. Tefaf Maastricht functions as a community hub extending beyond dealer-collector relationships to include curators, art historians, and collectors, creating what participants describe as the art world's equivalent of Davos.

Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events