Founder Chris Johnson became an art lover in high school after seeing an El Greco exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art. Although he went on to obtain two business degrees and work in the corporate world, he never lost that interest in the arts. In 2003, he founded a small contemporary art gallery in Chicago. From that experience he learned firsthand the challenges faced by arts organizations when trying to obtain the appropriate insurance coverages. This led directly to his founding of the Johnsonese Brokerage.

Today, the Johnsonese Brokerage insures organizations involved with all aspects of the fine and decorative arts, antiques and collectibles: