People collect art for many reasons, whether for leisure, to enhance a corporate space, to complement a personal interior, or as a thoughtful gift. Yet, for those unsure of how or where to begin, starting a collection can feel like a daunting task.
This guide aims to offer insight into discovering, selecting, and acquiring art that resonates with you. Through practical tips and accessible methods, we hope to help you navigate the art world with confidence and take your first steps towards building a meaningful collection.
Where to Find Art
Galleries
Galleries are, and have long been, the traditional hubs for acquiring art. These spaces not only maintain close relations with their represented artists but can also relay further context and descriptions about the artworks they hold. Visiting a gallery also holds the high chances of meeting the artists behind the exhibition, allowing you to hear from the creatives themselves. At Cuturi Gallery’s secondary space, Cuturi Capsule, brings this encounter even closer, serving as an open studio where you can view unrevealed works and observe how early drafts evolve into final masterpieces.
Being able to understand your collecting preferences allows a gallery to provide you with a catered and tailored experience. When enough rapport has been built between you and a particular gallery, they may even draw your attention to certain works before an exhibition opens if they believe it matches your artistic palate.
Installation view of Cuturi Gallery ARTSG 2025 booth
Art Fairs
Art fairs gather global galleries in one space to present a more dynamic range of artworks for visitors and potential collectors. Not only do art fairs expose you to new galleries and emerging artists, but they are also a good way to understand which galleries align with your particular interests.
Due to the scale and opportunity to view multiple galleries all at once, art fairs can help you refine your preferences and identify which spaces best serve your collecting goals.
Online Art Advisories
Digital art advisory platforms are a rising form of art showrooms, gathering artwork metadata from registered galleries and helping to market and expose their works to wider audiences. These platforms also provide the convenience of filtering and sorting artworks for easy viewing from the comfort of your home rather than returning empty-handed.
Some artworks will have their prices displayed, while others may require you to inquire directly with the gallery. Digital advisories can be particularly useful for individuals who prefer not to navigate crowded spaces and wish to source specific works efficiently. Private collectors may also use these platforms to browse and acquire artworks anonymously, instead of visiting or engaging an art dealer in person. However, no matter how much efficient, it will never be the same experience you might receive in a physical space or community.
Budgeting
Artworks can vary greatly in price depending on the artist, medium, size, and provenance. It is therefore important to familiarise yourself with different artists' practices and the art market.
Shen Jiaqi, Echo Emporium , 2024, acrylic on linen, 30 x 40 x 3.5 cm (each)
It is perfectly acceptable to express your collecting criteria and price range to the gallerists. Providing this insight can help them recommend suitable works or inform you about artists they represent whose pieces fall within your range.
Authentication
Authentication is always a crucial step in protecting the value of your artwork and ensuring you do not fall victim to art fraud. Questions you can ask include requests for artwork provenance, certificates of authenticity, and information about the gallery’s history.
Renowned galleries build years of trust with their clientele through verified artworks, genuine provenance, satisfied clients, and consistent, transparent collecting procedures.
Artist Vanessa Liem participating in Cuturi Residency (2021)
The Most Important Factor
No matter what works you come across, even if you know the work will have a high resale value, even if you know the work is made by an esteemed artist, even if everyone else is talking about how good it is; it must be a work you like more than anything else. We hope these tips have provided a deeper insight into the world of art collecting, and we look forward to seeing you take your first steps towards acquiring your first piece.
If you’d like a more personalised approach to starting or expanding your collection, our advisory team is here to guide you. Connect with us to begin your collecting journey.
Edited by Alexis Lee, Roxana Yeo, October 2025