APPRAISER QUALIFICATIONS

Donna Child
Fine Art Specialty/ Art Legacy Specialist | Estate Advisor | Gallery Owner

Donna Child is a recognized leader in the Canadian art world with over 30 years of experience in art appraisal, collection management, curatorial consulting, and gallery operations. As the Founder and Director of Donna Child Fine Art Gallery in Toronto, she has established a reputation for championing Canadian and international artists while offering collectors and institutions expert guidance in the stewardship and transition of significant art collections.

Through her gallery, Donna works at the intersection of art and legacy—providing insight not only into the cultural and aesthetic value of artworks, but also their placement, presentation, and market positioning. Her experience managing private and corporate collections, facilitating exhibitions, and curating sales strategies gives her a practical understanding of how to guide families and executors through the complex process of managing inherited or estate-held artworks.

Donna holds the Fine Art Specialty Certification and provides expert appraisals for probate, insurance, donation, and resale purposes. Her appraisal practice is governed by the highest standards of ethics and methodology, and she works closely with legal and financial professionals to ensure collections are managed with transparency and fiduciary responsibility. She is frequently called upon to assess, catalogue, and contextualize entire collections—ensuring that each work is appropriately valued and that its story is preserved through thoughtful display, documentation, or placement.

Her gallery work provides a unique advantage: rather than approaching art as a static asset, Donna helps clients understand how works can be activated, exhibited, or placed to extend the collector’s vision and honor their lifelong passion. This may include advising on re-framing, restoration, exhibition preparation, or sales through her national and international network of collectors, galleries, and institutions.

Donna also serves as the Director of Art and Legacy Planning at Toller Cranston International (www.tollerinternational.com), overseeing the late artist and Olympic figure skater’s creative legacy. She leads the development of Cranston’s catalogue raisonné, manages authentication, and curate’s exhibitions that celebrate his boundary-breaking artistic life.

Her mission is rooted in ensuring that art is not just preserved—but that it continues to inspire, educate, and connect with future generations through thoughtful curation, storytelling, and stewardship.