Over £10.5
million worth
of arts and
craft have
been
purchased
through the
Arts Council
England
interest-free
loan scheme.
million worth
of arts and
craft have
been
purchased
through the
Arts Council
England
interest-free
loan scheme.
In the five years since the launch of Own Art in 2004, over £10.5 million worth of arts and craft have
been purchased through the Arts Council England interest-free loan scheme designed to make
contemporary art affordable and accessible to all.
Figures released today reveal that Own Art has provided a significant boost to galleries and artists across the
country, as well as bringing the idea of owning contemporary art to a new audience. Sales include over £300,000
of purchases made by Londoners at galleries including The Whitechapel and The Photographer’s Gallery.
More than a quarter of sales (26.5%) were to first time buyers of contemporary art with 26% of loans being taken
by customers with incomes equal to or below the national average (£22,500).
Moira Sinclair, Executive Director of Arts Council England, London said, 'Millions of us flock to galleries every
year to see our favourite artworks. But with a visit to local commercial galleries, you can enjoy this experience
every day by buying your own unique and personal artwork to enjoy at home. Own Art has made this rewarding
experience more affordable for thousands of people, and we hope that many more will use the scheme to bring
art into their everyday lives.'
Own Art allows people wishing to purchase works of art and craft, ranging from £100 - £2000 including paintings,
photography, sculpture, glassware and furniture, to pay in 10 monthly interest-free instalments. This innovative
approach has now generated over £6.5m worth of income for up-and-coming artists through over 12,500 loans.
Iwona Blazwick, Director of the Whitechapel Gallery said, 'The Own Art initiative is a simple and effective way of
enabling people to start their own contemporary art collection. The Whitechapel Gallery has always been about
making great art accessible to everyone and Own Art helps make our beautiful artworks and editions by leading
artists even more affordable, enabling everyone to invest in great art.'
Of the thousands of art lovers who have used the scheme, over three-quarters (82%) said that they could not have
afforded to have made their purchase without the payment option offered by Own Art.
For more information about Own Art and details of galleries participating in the scheme,
visit www.ownart.org.uk
been purchased through the Arts Council England interest-free loan scheme designed to make
contemporary art affordable and accessible to all.
Figures released today reveal that Own Art has provided a significant boost to galleries and artists across the
country, as well as bringing the idea of owning contemporary art to a new audience. Sales include over £300,000
of purchases made by Londoners at galleries including The Whitechapel and The Photographer’s Gallery.
More than a quarter of sales (26.5%) were to first time buyers of contemporary art with 26% of loans being taken
by customers with incomes equal to or below the national average (£22,500).
Moira Sinclair, Executive Director of Arts Council England, London said, 'Millions of us flock to galleries every
year to see our favourite artworks. But with a visit to local commercial galleries, you can enjoy this experience
every day by buying your own unique and personal artwork to enjoy at home. Own Art has made this rewarding
experience more affordable for thousands of people, and we hope that many more will use the scheme to bring
art into their everyday lives.'
Own Art allows people wishing to purchase works of art and craft, ranging from £100 - £2000 including paintings,
photography, sculpture, glassware and furniture, to pay in 10 monthly interest-free instalments. This innovative
approach has now generated over £6.5m worth of income for up-and-coming artists through over 12,500 loans.
Iwona Blazwick, Director of the Whitechapel Gallery said, 'The Own Art initiative is a simple and effective way of
enabling people to start their own contemporary art collection. The Whitechapel Gallery has always been about
making great art accessible to everyone and Own Art helps make our beautiful artworks and editions by leading
artists even more affordable, enabling everyone to invest in great art.'
Of the thousands of art lovers who have used the scheme, over three-quarters (82%) said that they could not have
afforded to have made their purchase without the payment option offered by Own Art.
For more information about Own Art and details of galleries participating in the scheme,
visit www.ownart.org.uk
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| Own Art Celebrates its 5th Anniversary and £10m of Sales |
