Maurice Lévy, the former CEO of Publicis Groupe and current chairman of its Supervisory Board, is known to be both a technophile and an art lover. And this week he unveiled a passion project that combines those two interests.  

It’s called YourArt, an online platform dedicated to the world of art that serves as a marketplace, educational forum, social network and more.  

Lévy has been working on the effort for years and raised an estimated $10 million from family and friends on both sides of the Atlantic to help bring the project to life. Investors include Henry Kravis, co-founder of the private equity firm KKR, Sotheby’s owner Patrick Dahi, venture capitalist Jim Breyer and the Decaux family, which controls media company JCDecaux. 

The platform is designed to open the art world “to all artists and all audiences, from galleries to collectors, including simply curious art lovers,” according to a statement issued by the startup, of which Lévy is president. 

The platform’s digital ecosystem is driven in part by artificial intelligence and has been designed to incorporate Web3 and Metaverse aspects now and into the future. 

It includes a digital exhibition space called the Metagallery and a “Portfolio” space where artists can display their works and artistic visions. There’s a Metaverse tool called Musée imaginaire that allows users to create their own artistic worlds. 

“I wished this project, which I have been carrying for years, to be a love letter to the art world,” Lévy stated. “I started this project with the artists’ desires in mind rather than my own, and focused on what they need most. And in order to meet their expectations, we must invite as many people as possible to engage with art.” 

YourArt, he added, “is the epitome of art + tech, both a platform representing the French Tech at a global scale and a start-up.” 

Access the platform here.