Art buying no longer just happens by raising a paddle or starting up a long chat with a gallery dealer. These days, collectors are sussing out their favourite pieces online and, thanks to new middlemen, can seal the deal without ever setting foot in the gallery district.

The art world is famously opaque; to outsiders, the value of masterpieces can rise and fall seemingly at a whim. But with collector interest growing worldwide, banks are now looking to make investing in this market easier. How is UBS’ Planet Art app helping to make the industry more accessible?

It’s widely assumed that pragmatic elements, like a strong job or housing market, attract people to cities – but new studies show that vibrant cultural offerings, from galleries to club nights, are the real draw. How are lesser-known cities using creative clout to attract and retain residents?

Whether you're interested in Brutalist furniture or the Art Nouveau period, online auction house 1stdibs has introduced an app that enables shoppers to search for antiques via smartphone. But will people feel comfortable splashing cash on luxury goods through an app?