Starting An Art
Collection
Identify what kind of art you like. The following techniques
can help you determine what that is:
1. Visit 3 to 6 museums displaying different types of art.
Finish your visit by purchasing postcards in the gift shop that
reflect artworks that are attractive to you. Toss these cards
in a bowl, and don't look at them again until you have visited
all the museums on your list. Once you have done so, review all
the cards and look for similarities among them in terms of
mediums chosen, time period of the artists, or the style of the
artworks.
2. Visit your local library and find an art history book
that spans at least four centuries of art from many different
countries. Use sticky notes to mark your favorite pieces.
Again, look for common elements to determine what you like the
best.
• Match what you like with what you can afford and what is
currently available to buy. Consult with knowledgeable art
dealers or art appraisers about costs and availability of what
you have selected. Determine your annual budget and the number
of pieces you want to be able to purchase with that amount.
• Gather information about the quality of what you like,
what you can afford, and what is currently available. Consult
with museum personnel and knowledgeable art consultants about
what they consider to be quality work.
• Join ancillary museum groups that offer lectures and
exposure to valuable information.
• Subscribe to magazines that focus on the type of art you
want to collect.
• Don’t rush to acquire art. For many, it’s a lifelong
pursuit.
Starting a Contemporary Art Collection
Contact museum curators or art professionals in your area
who do not sell.
1. Build a relationship with these professionals by
attending lectures where they assemble.
2. Discuss your interest in collecting contemporary art and ask
for their recommendations.
3. Listen for names being repeatedly identified as quality
artists.
• Attend exhibitions at contemporary art galleries in your
area. Ask for information about any work that interests you.
This will help you understand what the artist intended for his
or her work "to say."
• Go to national and international art fairs to gain
additional exposure to contemporary art. Ask for information on
work that interests you at these events as well.
• Contact prominent local contemporary artists working in a
medium you like and ask them to identify their "hot picks."
• Supplement your efforts by reading art publications such
as Art in America, Art Forum, and Art News, as well as
magazines directed toward just one kind of medium, for example,
Fiberarts or types of art for example, Latinarte, Native
Peoples and American Indian Art magazines.
• Join ancillary museum groups focused on contemporary art.
These events allow you to experience what experienced
collectors of contemporary art have chosen. Travel to other
cities with these groups to gain an even greater understanding
of contemporary art.
• Do MOST of the steps described above before purchasing for
your collection.
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