Stephen P. Sweeting, MA, MRICS 

Stephen Sweeting is a professional appraiser with more than 30 years of experience in fine art, antiques, and decorative arts. He began his career in the 1980s in the dealer and auction sectors, transitioning to full-time appraisal work in 1990.

Between 1993 and 2023, he was one of the two founding principals at Appraisal Associates, a Toronto-based firm serving museums, public institutions, insurers, corporations and private collectors nationwide. The firm was especially active in preparing Certified Cultural Property and gifts-in-kind donation appraisals for museums in Canada.

Stephen has been a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ Chartered Arts & Antiques Surveyor (MRICS) since 2009. As of February 2026, he is—so far as he is aware—the only Canada-based arts and antiques appraiser holding this RICS credential. His election to RICS was supported by his earlier Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) qualification with the American Society of Appraisers, underscoring a long-standing commitment to rigorous, standards-driven valuation. Stephen has also contributed to RICS’ professional discourse, including publication in a RICS’ journal, and he continues to apply the institution’s core principles of integrity, transparency, and professionalism across all appraisal assignments. RICS requires all Chartered Surveyors to complete at least 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours on an annual basis to enhance skills, knowledge, and competence. 

Stephen holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Studies (specializing in Cultural Studies) from Alberta’s Athabasca University and an Honours BA from the University of Toronto. He has written and been published on many valuation-related topics and formerly taught a MA-level course titled Art & Crime at Athabasca University. Stephen’s appraisal-related publications history can be reviewed here.

In 2024, following the earlier death of longtime business partner Edie Yeomans, FASA, he established S. P. Sweeting Appraisals to continue offering research-driven, authoritative valuations to Canadian clients.

Website Credits: https://sweetingappraisals.ca/credits/