A new client-first art curation platform has launched in Aotearoa, offering an intuitive way for people to discover, connect with, and collect art.
The Art Precinct brings together decades of curatorial expertise, digital innovation and psychological insight to make art collecting more accessible and deeply personal.
The Art Precinct is the creation of Clare Mora, one of New Zealand’s respected design and export figures. With over 20 years’ experience launching Kiwi creative brands on the world stage - including David Trubridge, Höglund Art Glass, and the pioneering US retail venture essenze - Mora brings a long-standing commitment to showcasing New Zealand art and design through global, client-centred experiences.
“There’s a real opportunity to help more people build meaningful relationships with art,” says Mora. “The Art Precinct was created to offer a new kind of art curation journey - one that’s guided, personalised and grounded in connection.”
At the heart of The Art Precinct is a behavioural design framework called The TAP Narrative - a proprietary discovery process co-developed with a behavioural psychologist. Clients are guided through a series of questions and reflections that map to one of six distinct art personas, unlocking a curated pathway toward works that achieve a profound sense of belonging.
“This approach taps into how we process emotional meaning,” says Mora. “When clients recognise a part of themselves in an artwork, it activates a sense of emotional affirmation. That connection fosters long-term satisfaction - not just in the art, but in how they relate to their space.”
Dr Melinda Stanners, PhD in psychology, consulted The Art Precinct on the development of this framework to link human emotional drivers with subconscious triggers - enabling clients to articulate what resonates with them, even when they’re unsure of what they’re looking for. Developed entirely without the use of AI, the methodology is rooted in lived experience and human insight. It’s a process that turns instinct into clarity, and ultimately, into connection.
This insight-driven process leads to carefully curated collections - each one selected not just for visual appeal, but for its ability to reflect the client’s story, values and environment. Drawn from a respected network of emerging and established artists, these collections are designed to feel cohesive, intentional, and deeply personal.
Each curation is accompanied by rich storytelling and visual insight, offering a glimpse into the artist’s world - their inspiration, philosophy, and the deeper ‘why’ that helps clients understand the emotional resonance behind the work.
That connection is further strengthened by The Art Precinct’s immersive digital tools. Using augmented reality, clients can preview artworks at scale and in the context of their own environment. The feature was developed in response to Mora’s direct experience with clients, many of whom struggled to imagine how a piece would feel as part of a complete, lived-in space.
“So often people love a work, but hesitate because they can’t quite imagine how it will live with them,” says Mora. “This tool removes that barrier and gives them the clarity they need to feel confident about their selections.”
The Art Precinct does not operate as a dealer gallery, traditional art advisor, or interior design firm. Instead, it occupies the valuable space in between - blending curatorial expertise, storytelling, psychology and spatial thinking into one seamless, client-led experience. It’s this unique approach that allows TAP to craft collections that feel cohesive, personal and enduring.
“We’re proud to work with and source from a wide network of artists and select dealer galleries,” says Mora. “Part of our role is to bring that richness together in a way that feels curated for the client, not driven by the market.”
Through this process, the platform also enhances visibility and reach - especially for New Zealand talent. Already, The Art Precinct has delivered residential and commercial commissions across New Zealand and internationally - including projects in Queenstown, Waiheke Island, New York, and Los Angeles.
With The Art Precinct now officially launched, Mora hopes to continue expanding its reach - both in terms of geography and impact.
“Whether it’s a home, a workplace or a public space, art has the power to elevate and anchor us,” says Mora. “We’re here to help more people experience that feeling - and to ensure New Zealand creativity is part of that story, wherever it’s told.”
The Art Precinct officially launched at an exclusive event on Wednesday 18 June 2025. To learn more, visit www.theartprecinct.com
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