Art Patronage in the 21st Century 

Aura Investments

New York City  ·  Established MMXXV
Now accepting properties & artists worldwide

New York’s artists are here for you.
Your solution to the vacancy tax.

We extend our charity to the 1%.
We hear you. We see you.

Submit Property Submit Artist Portfolio
The Illumination

You own a home in New York.
You cannot always be there.
Why should you be taxed for being successful?

The city has introduced a vacancy tax. It is designed to penalize property owners like you for having the resources to own more than one home. This is, in our opinion, a profound misunderstanding of how things work.

We find it deeply unfair.

Which is why we built Aura Investments. We connect property owners with New York artists and creatives who have volunteered, voluntarily and generously, to temporarily occupy your home on your behalf.

They are doing this for you. You did not ask them to. They saw your situation, and they wanted to help.

The Registry

Present Your Property

Tell us about your situation. We will find the right volunteer. Quietly, and with discretion.

Are you open to housing or funding an artist?
Select any that apply. Patronage takes more than one form.
Discipline of the Volunteer
Select any that appeal. We will do our best to match you with someone who can be there for you artistically.

Artists who participate in this program do so entirely of their own volition. They are not compensated by Aura Investments. They may request a nominal contribution from the property owner. A gesture of appreciation, nothing more. This is between two adults and is none of our business. We are simply the introduction. All we ask is that you treat your volunteer with the dignity befitting someone who is doing you an enormous favor.

Our method.

Invest in your Aura.
Caput I

You Have a Problem

The pied-à-terre vacancy tax is real. It is aimed at you. It targets homes that sit empty. Homes you paid for. Homes you maintain. Homes you deserve to enjoy on your own schedule. We don’t think that’s right.

Caput II

We Have a Solution

New York’s artists have stepped forward. Painters. Writers. Composers. Filmmakers. They have volunteered to occupy your home. They will take care of it. They ask for very little, or nothing at all.

Caput III

You Get Your Life Back

With a volunteer occupant in place, your home is no longer vacant. The tax does not apply. You are free to visit whenever you like. The city is satisfied.

The Medici family in Renaissance Florence, c. 1400–1600
The Medici, c. 1400 – 1600Patrons. Bankers. Beneficiaries.
A Patron’s Testimony

The Medici understood. Centuries before you did.

In 1478, Lorenzo de’ Medici owned more property than he could regularly visit. The Republic of Florence had taken notice. The arrangement that followed is now considered a foundational period of Western art.

A young painter, unhoused and gifted, agreed to occupy the Villa di Castello during Lorenzo’s absences. He was given a room. He was given a north light. He was given the use of the kitchens.

In return, he stayed there. He was compensated, and so were the Medicis in aura points. He produced, during his residency, several paintings of considerable note.

The villa was no longer vacant. The Republic was satisfied. The painter painted. Lorenzo continued to visit when he wished.

The painter’s work hangs in the Uffizi. The Medicis were violent, corrupt, and occasionally papal. They are also the coolest people in any room they ever entered. Refine your reputation.

“I funded the arts and my aura went up a million points. People stopped trying to eat me (the rich) and life has never been so good.”Medici, if he were still alive today, 2026
For the Artists

Volunteer your presence.

If you are a New York artist willing to occupy a beautiful home during a patron’s absence, we would be glad to introduce you. Leave your portfolio. We will be in touch.