How to Start a Contemporary Art Collection: 8 Essential Tips

Buying a single artwork is easy. But building a meaningful and valuable art collection takes time, research, and intentionality. If you’re ready to go beyond decorating your home and want to start a contemporary art collection that reflects your taste and grows in value, you’re in the right place.

Whether you’re new to the art world or already a casual collector, this step-by-step guide from Artsper will help you build your collection with confidence.

Here is the first part of this two-part guide.

#1 Educate your eye

You don’t need to be an expert to have an opinion. Visit galleries, museums, and exhibitions to get familiar with the contemporary art scene. The more you see, the more you’ll develop your eye and better understand what you like—and why.

Don’t forget to check out the Artsper calendar and our articles on major art events. The more you engage with art, the more confident your choices will become.

#2 Quality before quantity

A collection takes time. Focus on quality, not quantity, to avoid purchases that may become regrets. Avoid buying artworks simply because they’re trending. Instead, research, take your time, and choose pieces that truly resonate with your taste and vision.

Explore Artsper’s selections, from young talents to must-see masterpieces and our staff picks.

#3 Learn about the way the market works

The art market is unlike any other. Art is more than just an object—it carries meaning, emotion, and cultural significance. That’s why its pricing, trends, and value evolve differently compared to traditional or luxury goods. To better understand this unique ecosystem, it’s essential to follow auction results and study how the contemporary art market functions. A work of art holds an intangible aura that sets it apart from all other commodities, even high-end luxury items. This distinctiveness is what gives the art market its own rules, both in theory and in practice.

We recommend consulting resources like the annual Hiscox Online Art Trade Report or Art Basel Report, which provide insights into online market trends and collector behavior.

#4 Looking at great personnalities of History of Art

Learning from influential collectors and personalities can guide your approach. Understanding how figures in the art world think and collect helps you place works in context and avoid derivative or unoriginal pieces.

This perspective helps you recognize value and relevance when assessing new works. Don’t get fooled by a pale copy of a style or composition bringing no contribution in terms of creativity or personal interpretation to it.

#5 Historical References

Starting a collection means engaging with the broader art narrative. You don’t need to master every art movement, but a solid foundation will enrich your understanding. Books like The Story of Art by Ernst Gombrich are accessible and informative starting points.

Understanding where a work fits historically helps you identify its originality and significance.

#6 Create a sense of coherence

Over time, your collection will naturally reflect a pattern or theme. As you add more pieces, try placing new acquisitions mentally alongside what you already own. You’ll begin to see connections—not necessarily similarities, but consistencies in what you’re drawn to.

This is how a personal, cohesive collection starts to take shape.

#7 Taking your Budget into Account

Don’t be discouraged if your budget doesn’t allow for large original works right away. Many artists offer editions—like lithographs or screen prints—that are more accessible but still valuable. These can be great entry points into collecting an artist you admire.

Integrating a piece of an artist whose work you appreciate to your collection can start with the acquisition of an edition before you can acquire a larger unique piece later on.

#8 Do not Give in to your False Impulses

Art is emotional—and that’s a good thing. But beware of impulses shaped by trends or the opinions of others. A true collection should reflect your unique taste, not someone else’s.

Stay true to yourself, and don’t worry about creating a “perfect” collection. Uniqueness and sincerity matter most. Don’t hesitate to go through the selections made by great collectors and personnalities of the arts in our Interviews.

If you need some guidance, why not get in touch with our Art Advisory service ? Our art advisors will help you find the perfect work to suit your tastes and budget.