Art & Legacy Consultant

Carlota Perez-Appelbaum is an Art & Legacy Consultant, specializing in the development of post-war and contemporary art collections, the stewardship of artist estates, and the creation of cultural projects with lasting institutional and philanthropic impact. She works closely with private collectors, institutions, and foundations to shape compelling art programs, public and private exhibitions, publications, and legacy-driven initiatives.

Carlota has guided a wide range of global clients—including the Estate and Foundation of Carlos Cruz-Diez and collector Juan Carlos Maldonado—helping build, preserve, and activate culturally significant collections and legacies. She played a pivotal role in building the collection of renowned collector Juan Carlos Maldonado, developing it from inception and leading the creation of a public-facing space in Miami’s Design District. In 2019, Carlota co-founded Active Culture Partners with Valeria Cordero—a consultancy dedicated to protecting and advancing creative legacies. Through this platform, Carlota co-directed and continues to advise the Cruz-Diez Foundation, partnering with museums and cultural institutions to secure impactful donations and forge meaningful institutional collaborations.

Carlota’s practice is built on a foundation of expertise, access, and education, offering a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to collection-building and legacy planning. She has collaborated with institutions such as MoMA (New York), MFA Houston, PAMM (Miami), and MUAC (Mexico City), and curated exhibitions at the Frost Museum (FIU), JCMC (Miami), ArtCore (Los Angeles), and Carbono (São Paulo). Her professional network spans curators, scholars, archivists, gallerists and cultural leaders worldwide.

Carlota is currently a guest faculty member of the Aspen Institute’s 2025 Seminar for Artist-Endowed Foundation Leaders, and a 2023 alumna of both the Aspen Institute Seminar and the Institute of Artists’ Estates’ Schlossgut Schwante Workshop. She holds an M.A. in Modern Art History, Connoisseurship & the History of the Art Market from Christie’s Education (New York), and has a background in public policy and finance, with degrees from IESA and Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas, Venezuela.

Based in New York City, Carlota brings a globally informed, strategically driven perspective to every project, paired with an energetic, thoughtful, and collaborative approach—ideal for those seeking to shape a cultural legacy with international relevance and lasting impact.