6 Essential Tips for Starting an Art Collection

Embarking on an art collection journey can be both exhilarating and rewarding.

Here are six key tips to guide you as you begin your adventure in the world of art collecting. Even for seasoned collectors, it’s important to keep up with trends, so this might be useful as well.

Keep Up with Art Market News & Trends

Keep yourself updated on the latest art market trends, current exhibitions and hot new artists by following these news sources:

For news articles and interviews: Read The Art Newspaper, ArtNews / Art in America, Artforum (did you know that Tina River Ryan its new editor-in-chief is a digital art expert & curator, formerly curator of the Buffalo AKG Museum). If you are looking specifically for digital art, I’d recommend CLOT Magazine, fisheye immersive (in French), Outland and publick occurrences

For in-depth exhibition reviews and insights: e-flux.com, Flash Art and The Brooklyn Rail are my go-to publications. Look out for Charlotte Kent’s articles in The Brooklyn Rail for a segway into digital art.

For reports and podcasts: Artnet News provides news, newsletters, seasonal intelligence reports (see the latest one here), and informative podcasts such as The Art Angle and The Art Market Minute

For professional insights: Subscribe to Artnet News Pro, Wall Power by Marion Manecker, The BearFaxt, or Le Quotidien de l’Art (in French)

For entertainment: Follow @jerrygogosian on Instagram for memes and live reports from art fairs worldwide and @jerrysaltz for acidic art commentary. I’d also recommend Hyperallergic and This is Colossal for short, light tone articles

Discover Your Preferred Art Genres

Explore various art forms to identify what resonates most with you and then delve into the rabbit hole:

Visit museums to determine your interests: Are you drawn to photography, contemporary art, or digital art?

Delve deeper into your chosen genres through books and magazines

Explore relevant galleries and art fairs to confirm your preferences and refine your taste

Continuously expand your knowledge in your areas of interest by listening to online panels or attending events near you

Immerse Yourself in Galleries & Art Fairs

Gain hands-on experience in the art world to refine your taste, discover new artists, and build connections within the community:

Local exploration: Visit nearby galleries and identify artists that intrigue you. Don't be intimidated – gallery assistants are there to help (really, they are!). Attend gallery openings to experience multiple venues in one evening. Thursday night gallery crawls are famous in Chelsea New York to hop from one gallery to another and enjoy multiple exhibitions in one evening.

Art fair adventures: Attend major art fairs like Art Basel Miami, Frieze London, or The Armory Show. These events offer opportunities to engage with multiple galleries, converse with art dealers, and potentially make your first purchases. Make a trip out of it to New York, London, or Miami! The presence of smaller side art fairs and events is a good way to make the trip worth every minute.

Hidden gems: Did you know that auction houses offer free public previews of their sales? Take advantage of these accessible viewing opportunities.

Find Out About New Artists

Discovering up-and-coming talent can be both exciting and potentially rewarding.

Attend local studio visits. Oftentimes, cities or neighborhoods will organize such events to allow artists to showcase their work to passersby.

Listen to artist interviews and podcasts to get into their process. Follow Unlocked to delve into the art and NFT realm, LeRandom for generative artist interviews and Artland for written interviews of 

Follow artists you admire or covet on Instagram and get onto their mailing list to know what’s going on with them

Connect with Fellow Collectors

Building relationships within the art community can enhance your collecting experience and provide valuable insights:

Join collector groups: Use the 100 collectors Telegram group and in-person events to connect with like-minded collectors

Attend collector events: These gatherings provide excellent opportunities to share experiences. 100 collectors will organize such events around major art fairs and events. Feel free to also explore museum programming for patrons.

Engage in online discussions: Digital art collectors and artists are quite active on X (formerly known as crypto twitter). Follow the artists, curators, and collectors you relate to, and engage in fun (sometimes heated) debates on X.

Consider Working with an Art Advisor

If you're new to collecting or looking to make significant investments, an art advisor can be invaluable. They offer personalized guidance tailored to your interests, budget, and time constraints, helping you navigate the complex art world with confidence.

Book your first art advisory session with one of 100 collectors advisor by emailing us at hello@100collectors.art. As a member of 100 collectors, this first session is complimentary.

Conclusion

The most important advice for any art collector is to acquire pieces that truly resonate with you. This approach will withstand market fluctuations and ensure long-term satisfaction with your collection.

Remember, building an art collection is a personal journey that combines passion, education, and strategy. By following these tips, you'll be well-equipped to create a collection that reflects your unique tastes and interests. As you progress, don't forget to enjoy the process and appreciate the beautiful works you acquire along the way.