Collecting art may be your hobby, your lifetime vocation, or a lucrative career path. Whatever your motivation to become an art collector is, you need to go through certain steps to join this industry. Here, we cover the nuances of starting to collect art like a pro.
Who Is an Art Collector?
First, let’s clarify whether collecting art is truly your passion. Typically, a person is regarded as an art collector if they regularly research the market to find and acquire specific art objects matching their collection concept and purpose. These activities may be conducted for personal pleasure or investment purposes; you may also collect art on the assignment of a different person as a hired art collection manager.
How to Start Collecting Art on a Professional Level?
So, where to start your art-collecting journey? As a rule, you will need to cover the following steps.
Self-Education
The first stage of joining the art collection industry is to get some education in art. You may complete a university degree or finish a past-track course from an industry expert to get a fuller idea of what collecting art entails. You should get acquainted with the key art movements, periods, and techniques to identify valuable pieces for your future collection. Besides, it is recommended that you get proper training on safe art transportation and storage.
Self-Determination
Next, you need to clarify what kind of art resonates with you and represents personal or commercial interest. This way, you will narrow the scope of your collecting efforts, as it’s literally impossible to buy all art in the world. By means of defining your interests in art, you will be able to create a consistent collection with a clear message to its audiences.
Budgeting
The following stage is setting the budget you have or plan to get for the creation of your collection. You should understand the market prices and dynamics to budget your project more or less realistically. Therefore, we recommend researching the market regularly to see which artworks appreciate in value and which are enjoying stable prices from year to year.
Networking
A vital part of a collector’s path is networking with other experts from the industry. To do so, you should attend art fairs and exhibitions relevant to your niche of specialization. These events usually offer great possibilities to get acquainted with art dealers and artists, which gives you direct access to key figures in the art business.
With these steps, you’re sure to move on with the art collection business really fast. Invest a bit of time and effort into preparation for this occupation, and this work will pay off in the form of valuable acquaintances, an in-depth understanding of art, and a feel of the industry trends.