xyXV4

COLLECTING
Buying art at degree shows:
10 tips for new collectors
You’ll see some fabulous work at this year’s degree shows, some of which you might
just want to take home with you. Contemporary Art Society North offers some useful
advice on how to go about it.
1
Do your homework: Find out about the
art school or university. Does it have a good
reputation Have any alumni achieved wider
success within the mainstream art world
Who is teaching there and what do they
specialise in
2
Ask around: Get the views of art world
professionals such as commercial dealers,
curators, artists and critics. The endorsement
of these individuals will play a pivotal role in an
artist’s career success.
3
Talk to tutors: If possible, talk to the tutors
and ask which students they think are the most
promising, are continuing on to MA courses,
or have already made plans to continue their
practice by organising studios or residencies.
4
Know your budget: Decide in advance how
much you’re willing to spend. This isn’t just
about the money – it will also help to determine
the scale, media and placement (floor or wallbased)
of works you consider.
5
Think about how you’ll display the work:
You could buy something, keep it in storage and
look at it admiringly when the mood takes you
– but much better to make sure beforehand that
you’ve got somewhere to display it.
6
Make notes: When visiting degree shows,
allow time to look round all the work and make
notes of artists who particularly interest you
and why. See if someone who knows the place
well can take you around.
7
Don’t rush into things: You can register an
interest in work without committing to a sale.
Say you are excited by the work, but would
like a second look. Talk again to the artist and
get a deeper sense of their influences, creative
process and future plans.
8
Be patient: Deciding how to price an
artwork is often very difficult for students as
they balance the time invested in making it with
the desire to sell it. Don’t worry if they haven’t
yet decided on a price – allow them the time to
seek advice.
9
Don’t be put off: If the asking price seems
too high, this may just be down to a student’s
inexperience or wishful thinking. Graduates
who are serious about being an artist would
generally rather see their work in someone’s
collection than unsold. But don’t pressure
1
2
the artist into selling for less than they are
comfortable with, either. Ask to see other
works, or consider commissioning a new piece
to match your budget.
10
Follow your instinct: After all that careful
research, it still comes down to the art itself
and what you feel about it – always make sure
you buy something because you love it and are
happy to live with it.
This article is based on advice provided by
Contemporary Art Society North. The organisation
runs a membership scheme and welcomes anyone
with an interest in contemporary art and collecting
to join and participate in the exclusive Members’
events programme of artist studio visits, curator-led
exhibition tours, and opportunities to meet with other
collectors. For more information, contact Mark Doyle,
head of collector development North, at
mark@contemporaryartsociety.org or visit
www.contemporaryartsociety.org/members/north
3
1
Lauren Charlton, BA Fine Art degree
show, Manchester School of Art, 2013
2
MFA degree show, Glasgow School of
Art, 2013
3
UWE Bristol, Fine Art degree show, 2013.
Photo: Steve Norton
43