Where and how to find art buyers requires a combination of knowledge, strategy and persistence. However, there is no need to be frustrated, confused or mystified about finding art buyers. This article provides 16 ways to find them.
I recall having the honor and privilege of interviewing the late Leo Castelli, foremost art dealer of the century who represented the legendary artists Rauschenberg, Warhol and Johns He told me that he never judged people who walked through his gallery door. He viewed every individual as a potential buyer. I share these wise words with you.
On our quest to find art buyers it is important that we don’t judge a potential art buyer by how they dress, their profession, or even how well they understand art or art history. The most surprising people may become our most devoted and cherished collectors. As I recall some of my best collectors did not necessarily have the highest financial resources.
Potential art buyers are your neighbors, relatives and friends. They are the blue collar workers and the people you read about in the social columns. They are people and businesses that will come to you and those you must reach out to. Art buyers come in all different shapes, sizes, professional backgrounds, personalities and origins.
There is, of course, a difference between occasional art buyers and avid art collectors. If you want to meet people who have more than a casual interest in art and who are more likely to already be buying art, there are some steps you could take to come into contact with them.
16 Ways to Find Art Buyers and Meet Collectors
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Join the best local art museum at the highest membership category you can afford. You’ll benefit from the opportunity to socialize at the museum’s private receptions and use of private dining room and other membership amenities.
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Attend art fairs, wine tastings, lectures and other special events where art buyers are likely to congregate. Ask to be placed on the mailing list of your favorite galleries and attend their openings.
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Join cultural institutions, community service organizations, and established clubs such as the Junior League, and Rotary Club.
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Offer to write an art column about art and art collectors for your local paper, blogs or arts publications.
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Open your studio to tour groups, art clubs, and charities.
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Make appearances and give talks about your work in colleges, business organizations and corporate venues.
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If you have a degree in art history, get a job in a museum as a docent.
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Work for a blue chip gallery.
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Form or join an arts organization and invite collectors, curators and critics to jury your exhibitions.
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Look for leads in business reference and national and inter-national biographical reference books, such as Who’s Who Directories.
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Volunteer to help prestigious organizations that are close to your heart and that will place you in contact with potential collectors.
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When you travel stay in the best hotels you can afford and socialize with other guests.
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Join special interest groups in social networking sites such as art groups on LinkedIn and participate in these groups.
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Attend fund-raising events and art auctions.
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Work for a famous artist. In addition to the potential of meeting the artists’ collectors, this will increase the value of your art. Great example: Rachel Howard was first known as the assistant for thepainter Damien Hirst. When she went on her own as an artist her art work skyrocketed to over $2 million in auction.
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Always be prepared with your business cards. brochures and other promotional materials whenever you leave home. Be ready for that chance encounter with a potential buyer at the airport, grocery store, bank, spa, yoga class or post office.
I hope this list has given you some renewed enthusiasm and confidence about the many possibilities there are waiting to be discovered.
Also Read
You’ll Sell More Art When You Define Your Art Customer Profile
As you know it is important to determine your market niche and your customer profile in order to established your target audience. Then you will want to find out where they spend their time, what groups they belong to, and other valuable information that will point you in the right direction.
Hello everyone am happy to be part of the family I do paintings and sculptures I am an artist..
Thank you so much Renee. This was very helpful.
Hi Dee, I’m delighted to know this article was helpful to you. May you meet many new art buyers and sell more artwork as a result to taking this advice. Keep me posted!
Thank you very much Renee for your comprehensive article. Where can I find more information about your services?
Ripsime
Greetings Ripsime, I’m happy to know you enjoyed this article. At this time I am focusing on promoting artists in our online galleries on two websites: Manhattan Arts International and The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS. I also write Art Reviews.
Love the Leo comment…need more people like that today!!!! Thank you, Renee for all you do.
Nancy
Thank you Nancy for reading the article and your comment. Leo was definitely one of a kind and I feel honored to have met him when I owned Manhattan Arts magazine. The artworld was a very different place in the 80’s-90’s.
This is a wonderful insight, Renee. I am Nina Winters and I am an internationally collected sculptor. I am really looking forward into more projects and selling them to my target market. Thanks to these helpful tips, I have additional info on what I should be doing to sell my art.
Hello , I am Lihle Matini , 24 year old in Cape Town , western cape , South Africa . I am artist that is really want to get reconnection in the industry . I do go to exhibition and work on commissions . I hope I can get help from professionals
Hello Lihle, Thank you for your comment. I hope you find the articles here helpful as you grow your art career. Best wishes!
Thank you Renee, you have given me more confidence in starting an online art store.
The ideas you propose need not only thought but concrete answers and that will keep me busy as I continue to do my art.
Hello Ms. Renee!
I am glad that I reached your website. Actually, I was asked by a dear friend who moved to another state to find a buyer for two signed paintings by famous painters. She owned these paintings but now as she moved to a new state and new beginning She would like to sell them. Could you please help me find a buyer or a way to sell these paintings and help her use that sum of money in her new place. Thank you
Best
Kawther
Kawther, Based on the information you wrote since they are painted by “famous painters”, and assuming the artists are deceased, you could contact galleries that have or currently sell the artists’ work as well as auction houses.
Dear respected madam,
My name is Waheed Ahmed and I am a passionate artist. I have been doing this too long as my passion. I have made a number of very attractive and beautiful handmade artsy also including the beautiful Arabic Calligraphy. I want to explore my talent as an artist and also want to promote and sell my work. I need your help and assistance to do so. Please guide me how can I promote my work.
Kind regards
Waheed Ahmed
Welcome Waheed to my website, created to help artists achieve their fullest potential. You’ll find dozens of articles written to help you promote and sell your art. Start here: https://renee-phillips.com/category/articles/
I also recommend you consider creating a website to showcase your art with the world and promote it on social media and from email. Read How to Get Started With Your New Art Website. I also offer some comprehensive ebooks. You’ll find them here. And, there’s an inspirational new article in which many artists inspire others to “Never Give Up!” You can read it here. Wishing you creative bliss!
Hi –
How do you find someone who will help you collect art?
I’d also like to find somoene to take me on tours of galleries and auction houses in Europe and the US.
Thank you.
Regards,
Katherine Policy
Katherine,
If you want to become an art collector I highly recommend you read “How to Collect Art on Any Budget” https://manhattanarts.com/how-to-collect-art-on-any-budget/ This article provides ideas on how and where to acquire art, increase your knowledge about art, and develop your own preferences. Living with an art collection of any size can be a richly rewarding experience for so many reasons especially if you follow your passion. You probably know that the years of pleasure a good art collection may bring you is invaluable.
Consider buying art directly from artists. The experience will be invaluable. Galleries are also very helpful as many art dealers who specialize in genres have acquired years of knowledge and experience.
Depending on where you live there are art consultants and art advisors who provide such services as art acquisitions, appraisals, collection management, estate planning, corporate collections and more. Visit the Association of Art Advisors (APAA) website to locate one in your area and learn about their specific services.
An Art Advisor provides insight into the art market and working with an APAA art advisor ensures that “you will be given advice from an impartial, experienced professional who, as your advocate, works only on your behalf. A good advisor will find the appropriate artwork for you to consider, help you assess the condition and materials, analyze the current market and assist you in negotiating the best possible price.”
I like how you suggested attending art fairs. My sister is an artist and she was telling me last night while at my house for dinner that she is wanting to find more ways to sell her art so that she can have a career with doing art. I’ll make sure to pass this information along to her so that she can know more about finding someone that will be interested in her art.
how do I create a great blog for my art works (painting and other mediums)
David, Thank you for your question. There are a few articles I’ve published on this website that will have answers to your question and more.
How to Create A Successful Art Blog
Topic Ideas for Your Art Blog
Simple Steps to Writing Best Art Blog Posts
Artist Barbara Rachko Maintains A Superior Art Blog
Renee – You are an inspirational to us all! You always motivate me!
Xo
Dear Sima, Thank you! I think of you often and hope all is well. Wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2018!
Hi,
I would like to find out about your email list of Art buyers how many do you have and how much does it cost?
Dear Aaron, Sorry, we don’t sell an email list of Art buyers.
Thank you so much for these concrete ideas on how to network and find art collectors. Most of the articles I have read just say to network “where your target audience is” – an answer I find unhelpful. Now at last, a giant actionable list of where to look!
Hi Renee Again an article I did set apart to read again. Your motivation has done miracles for my self esteem. I did reset my goals because I have reached the ones we spoke about.
Little steps bring you also where you want to be. Just don,t give up.
Thanks for your articles
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne,
Congratulations and thank you very much for your kind feedback. Your words provide inspiration for me to continue writing articles like this one and other topics to help you reach your career goals.
My very best wishes to you,
Renee
In the sea of articles for artists that have been brought to us by the waves that come and go on this beach called “Art Career Advice”, Renee Phillips alone offers clearly written, succinct, practical how to, where to, what to do suggestions for artists at every career stage whether you’re a clumsy fledgling among a flock of speedy sandpipers pecking the sand, a nervous tern protecting your carefully built nest in the dunes, or a gull gliding on the thermals that blow on shore, be sure to pick up on what Renee has to recommend.
Even for those cynics among us who believe we’re beyond being told what to do, Renee is the trendspotter who does the art-as-business research you should be doing, and points you in the right direction when you’re headed for the career cliff. In addition to weekly online articles, she’s written a number of books to guide you along your path to being successful, no matter what your definition of Artist may be. Based in NYC, she is also available for one on one consultations.
Apologies for the sea, waves, beach and birds business above. It’s August and this artist is restless for the ocean!
Dear Jane,
Your praise, which is more than I deserve, with its exquisite metaphors, is the best piece of prose and praise I have read in a long time. I will cherish your words forever. I will also quote you a million times in my own marketing efforts. After all, I must follow my own advice of letting other people “toot your horn”.
With tremendous gratitude for your words and lovely surprise,
Renee
Renee
I’m always thinking about ideas and these are inspiring. Some would think “of course” but certainly overlooked if you’re not business socially inclined. There are some ideas here for the young and older artists. Thank You
Fabulous suggestions Renee! Now I just need the firecracker and the matches to light it!!!
Your articles are informative and very well received.
As a past recipient of a scholarship to the Museum of Modern Art School of Painting, I was extremely impressed with your comments and suggestions.