10 Steps To Better African American Art Collecting
What to consider before you start collecting African American art.
1.Acquire art that you like and art that simply moves you,
“You should dream about a piece before you buy it. If you can take it or
leave it, you should leave it. “ – Thomas Burrell
2. Life enhancement should be a collector’s primary motivation for acquiring artwork. Should a piece of art appreciate over time, then that’s a plus.
3. Go to as many art galleries and art museums as possible. Get on gallery email lists. Keep abreast of gallery exhibit openings and special events. Staff at these places should be helpful in your quest for art education.
4. Your wallet should remain closed until you first open an art book. There are all sorts of art collecting magazines to help educate you on the arts. Find and read art history books and books about collecting art. Educate, educate, and educate yourself. Would-be collectors looking to educate themselves on artwork by African American artists might need to dig a little deeper than others for art history books and art exhibitions that focus on African American art, particularly if they do not live near a large urban city. But the information is out there and don’t forget the Internet.
5. If you look hard and deep enough you will find that there is a dedicated and friendly network of African American collectors, art galleries and art dealers that are eager to nurture and encourage new and developing art collecting clients. These folks can be as close as your telephone, your email or the Internet.
6. Develop and nurture strong learning relationships with African American contemporary artists, curators and collectors. Museum curators every now and then offer lectures on collecting art. Get to know other art collectors in your area. Talk to them and see what they know and speak to them about what they have learned about collecting art.
7. Consider engaging a professional art advisor / art consultant. These individuals can be knowledgeable and can steer you through the procedure of buying African American art.
8. Set a budget. Five, ten, fifteen percent of your annual income. Set aside what is comfortable for you at this time. First always remember to purchase art because you love it and want to live with it for evermore. If you do, it’s difficult to have misgivings about parting with the your hard earned cash. It’s easy to back away from a work of art going for $50,000 at a local art gallery and settle for a mass produced poster or print from a street vendor. However you may discover expressive and worthwhile artwork at –your budget prices- by seeking out original art (limited edition etchings, wood blocks, serigraphs, etc.) by up and coming talents or not as well known artists working and exhibiting in your local region. If you earn $40,000 a year and set aside $2,000 (5 percent) to acquire good quality art, you’ll probably never lose money, and have a blast owning and enjoying it. Fifteen, twenty years later, your art purchases may out do most of your traditional investments.
9. Bargain, bargain and bargain. Most art gallery owners and art dealers can and will discount their prices for the art. Most will provide payment plans with no interest. If you deal directly with the artist there may be deeper cuts in prices. The artist generally has the final say on price and so going directly to the artist has some benefits. However, an artist may not have the will or ability to provide payments. They may also not have the ability to take credit card payments. In addition, generally you can locate a gallery, sometimes it is difficult to find the artist.
10. Make certain you know what you are buying. Is the art an original, a print, a poster, a giclee? The use of today’s technology to produce art may make you believe that a reproduction on canvas is an original work of art. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid. After all it’s your money and your African American art collection.
Posted By: October Gallery
Sunday, April 11th 2010 at 7:15PM
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