Collecting Art
NOT JUST FOR THE RICH AND FAMOUS?
Collecting art is an exciting mix of treasure hunting, art history, innate curiosity, intuition, and luck. In the art world, many institutes—museums and galleries alike—devote large portions of their budgets to send directors and curators to “scout” works at art fairs, and in private collections and art exhibitions around the world. But what about the everyday person who would like to start collecting art?
No matter what kind of art you collect, it should be something you will enjoy for years to come.
When it comes to collecting, many people may feel intimidated by the perception that art collecting is out of their price range. But collecting art is not limited to only the rich, famous, and/or those academically trained individuals holding multiple degrees from prestigious universities. You can easily start a collection without a six-figure salary; attending gallery openings will introduce you to new and emerging (and more affordable!) artists in your area. Talk to the artists at the openings, introduce yourself to gallerists, and go to museum events—the more exposure to contemporary art, the better! Though many find it helpful to be independently wealthy and knowledgeable in the provenance (or the history of ownership of the object), condition, and current market values, it is not required. Have fun and trust your instinct—if you are going to have to live with this work of art for a while, you might as well enjoy it! —SBR