Laurence Lher

Whether you are looking to start or expand your personal art collection, you have many fantastic opportunities along the spectrum between one-of-a-kind Sotheby pieces and mass-produced Ikea prints. In order to take advantage, you have to be willing to expand your possibilities of place, medium, and payment. Check out the following ways you can own beloved artworks that fit your budget while allowing you to support your local creative scene and community artists.

Investigate familiar places. Some top-of-mind destinations for novice and experienced collectors alike are art galleries and art studios. These spaces are also often synonymous with full-price original works that can seem intimidating. However, this kind of misconception ignores the fact that both galleries and studios conduct seasonal and end-of-year sales and have permanent sections in which original works are offered at a discount. So, the next time you visit one of these spaces— whether it’s your first or your fiftieth trip—make sure to fully discover all the possibilities to add to the beauty of your collection.

Get off the beaten path. In addition to the traditional mainstays discussed above, several lesser-known venues for finding the next crown jewel in your collection. While they may appear the same as for-profit galleries from the outside, non-profit galleries run in a very distinct manner on the inside. These differences can help you to support special causes, as well as to take advantage of greater price flexibility. Generally composed of a handful to dozens of artists, artist cooperatives offer the chance to support local artists who are motivated to sell their own work and their peers. Art fairs are yet another excellent place for art lovers. While many charge an admission price, it is more often than not offset by the deals available on their grounds. For the best deals, you may want to start negotiating at the end of the day, particularly towards the end of the fair, when sellers tend to become more flexible.

Mix up mediums. No matter the art you love—whether painting, photography, or sculpture—you can always find unique pieces for your collection by considering different forms. For example, if you love a painting that you can’t quite afford, you