IRIS INDEX measures the top 500 living contemporary artists, over the past 3 years, according to hammer value (+ buyer's premium) from auction houses worldwide serving as both news reporting service and educational resource. By identifying contemporary art in its market context we not only provide an accurate survey, locating where two institutions find common ground for exchange, but more importantly we can begin to study why. It is the goal of Iris Index to provide the necessary educational materials to help many curious onlookers better understand an artist's contribution to society and develop the tools for evaluation, regardless of yesterday's hammer value.