Buy prints and photographs. They cost less money.
“Prints are great alternatives to paintings. They're cheap because artists create more than one. They come in a limited edition, which means there's a set number of pieces. So when the edition is sold out, no more will be made. If you're looking for places to buy prints, check out shoppingforart.net—it's a curated list of our favorite art sites.”
Learn how to shop online.
"There are four types of websites you can browse for art. If you're a beginner, start your search with a closed marketplace."
- Closed art marketplaces: These websites hand-select specific artists to show. (Examples: Exhibition A and 20x200).
- Open art marketplaces: These are websites where any artist can post their work. (Example: SaatchiArt.com)
- Miscellaneous marketplaces: These sites sell all kinds of miscellaneous items, not just art. (Examples: Etsy and eBay).
- Websites for traditional galleries: These sites are usually attached to a physical store.
Go to some open studios.
“During open studio events, you go into buildings full of recently finished pieces from emerging artists. Sometimes you can get really good prices and buy directly from artists you admire. In Greenpoint, Brooklyn, for instance, there are specific days when you can visit local artists in their studios. Open Studios, Arts Gowanus, and Arts in Bushwick are examples of open studios in NYC, but they happen in every major city.”
Raid student art shows in May.
“You can buy an awesome photograph for $100 at a student show. You can read student bios and papers about the art to get a lot of context. Write down the artist's contact info, and email them to discuss price. At the end of the school year you can go to MFA and BFA student shows.”
Look for discount codes.
“Most art marketplaces have seasonal discounts for 10-15% off. You also get discounts by signing up for mailing lists. Subscribe to Exhibition A's mailing list, for example, to get exclusive discounts and email alerts when they release new prints.”
Check out satellite art fairs.
“Maybe you've heard of Art Basel Miami. It's a huge art fair where a bunch of galleries sell their art. The trick is to go to the smaller satellite fairs that take place near the major ones. The satellite fairs are cool and feature younger, more inexpensive artists.”
Negotiate the price.
“Price negotiation works best when you buy directly from an artist or a gallery. Ask for a 10% collectors' discount. This doesn't always work, but you should ask anyway. If you're an awkward negotiator, you should get an art advisor to help you. Art advisors like Emily at Kollecto have relationships with artists, galleries, and sometimes even the owners of online marketplaces, so they can really hook you up.”
Ask for a payment plan.
“Again, this works best when you're buying directly from an artist or gallery. A three-month payment plan is a reasonable request. Most galleries will keep the art until you finish paying for it. As an alternative to this, Kollecto lets you make small monthly payments on art you buy through your art advisor. With us, you can hang the art on your wall while you make payments.”
Know the basics.
“There's a ton to learn about art, but here's some quick knowledge:"
- An artist proof is a print the artist saves or sells last.
- A collectors discount is a deal for loyal collectors.
- Art is priced based on the career of the artist (and practical stuff like production cost).
- Learn more in Kollecto's free class.
Get your own art advisor.
“Traditionally, art advisors are restricted to people with a lot of money, but at Kollecto, we're helping regular people start and grow their collections. We focus on art between $100 and $3,000, and we'll give you your own personal art advisor.”