The global art world is undergoing a quiet but important transformation. Sustainability is beginning to take shape as an overarching theme in business sectors such as fashion and architecture. Art collectors, who were previously considered only to be buyers or supporters of artists, now have a significant impact on paving the way for a more eco-friendly future of the global art industry.
Collectors are instrumental in determining and shaping every part of the creation, production, and distribution of art. The impact of a collector’s choice touches every point along the chain from an artist’s studio to galleries, and from auction houses to how art is stored and shipped.
Art’s historical reliance on resource-demanding materials includes such things as oil paints, chemicals, and large artworks that require considerable energy use. Due to this, the carbon footprint of an artwork can be very large. By showing an interest in acquiring works created through sustainable materials and low impact processes, collectors artists to explore greener alternatives.
The demand side of the art market is equally as important to the creation of artwork. Asking questions regarding the sourcing of art materials and production methods demonstrates that the collector values environmental principles. Galleries and dealers will place greater emphasis on what’s being asked for by collectors.
Collectors drive sustainable practices
Collectors that their purchasing power can be used to support responsible practices. Collectors contribute to reducing emissions associated with international shipping and air-freight transportation by purchasing art created locally. In addition, there are ways that individual consumers can help reduce the overall waste of the art-market by making “small” decisions, such as using digital catalogs.
Many collectors are becoming aware of not only how they exhibit their collections, but also how to properly store them. For example, some collectors have switched to energy-saving lighting, climate control friendly storage, and using longer exhibit cycles. By doing this collectors also show themselves that being sustainable does not detract from the overall work of the artist.
Art collectors are buying art from artists dealing with global ecological issues. The purchase of artwork from artists addressing these issues by consumers through their purchases raises awareness of the ecologies, climate change, and conservation issues.
Growing interest in transparency in the marketplace; therefore, art collectors are wanting to work with institutions or galleries that have publicly available sustainability policies. This interest in sustainability policies leads to higher levels of accountability and establishes a culture.
Ultimately, Collecting provides collectors with an opportunity to build connections through their collections to express themselves while also contributing to global appreciation for art through their decisions on what they consider important as collectors. Collectors have significant impact on the visual and economic value of artwork, as well as ethical considerations regarding artworks that are collected.
The art community faces numerous obstacles when it comes to environmental sustainability, but by way of their intentional purchasing decisions, collectors are showing that they are an integral part of making a difference.
