Whether you are an art enthusiast, a seasoned collector or a professional art dealer, art fairs offer an opportunity to explore new trends, to network and of course, to acquire works of art.
From a business perspective, for the galleries and the artists behind the scenes, fairs are about marketing and capturing new clientele. For the client or collector, fairs are about making connections, looking for inspiration, and adding to (or beginning!) their art collection.
But art fairs have also become a form of entertainment. With the proliferation of art events around the world, many of them relatively inexpensive or free to attend, going to an art fair has become synonymous with a music festival or night out (first the art fair, then dinner.) This makes sense, as art fairs are cultural capital that you as a consumer can get for free. However, there is so much going on at once that it can be overwhelming – if not challenging – to navigate art fairs and make the most of them.
Tips & Tricks
If you are going to an art fair, either to buy or simply learn:
- Talk to the gallery representatives and art dealers. They’re more than willing to walk you through the objects they brought and share their knowledge. Pick their brain!
- Network with the other people attending the fairs. There’s a lot to be learned and many places to meet up, from cocktail lounges and VIP areas, to simply strolling around.
- When attending a fair, find out what else may be scheduled (on offer) at the same time. You could come across some unexpected finds.
- Explore the hosting city’s local art scene. It’s a great way to escape the chaos, see some great works, and enjoy your surroundings.
Ask before you buy
Art fairs offer an opportunity to explore new trends, to network and of course, to acquire works of art.
Getting home
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From an insurance standpoint, fairs represent a high risk time for galleries, dealers and, of course, clients. Traditionally, the gallery or dealer covers the delivery of the piece to the new owner. But it’s important to know what questions to ask so you understand the details and/or can negotiate conditions to reduce risk, for example:
- Who’s responsible for the piece at what stage of the transaction – is it yours once it is paid for, when the title is transferred, or when it’s in your possession?
- Who’s responsible for packing and shipping – the gallery or a third party fine arts vendor? Make sure professional fine art packers & shippers are used!
- Is the appropriate packing or crating (in some cases, customized) being used for the type of piece? Think about size, fragility, composition, etc…
- If you’re at an international event, or a fair with international galleries represented, will the piece need to go through US Customs and, if so, what precautions will be made and by who?
Of course, the more pieces you purchase, the amount of risk in transporting them increases considerably!
Bonus pro tip for new collectors: Protecting your investment
Once home, how do you protect your investments?
Being a newcomer to the art scene can be intimidating. Someone starting to collect may not necessarily purchase expensive pieces initially, so they may not think their art is valuable enough to warrant an insurance policy. But there’s no reason to think that. In fact, XL Catlin’s collaboration with to develop the Five for Five specialized lifestyle insurance product – combining Fine Art, Jewelry, Wine, Cyber Theft and Identity Fraud coverages onto one policy – provides new collectors with the same coverage, service, and claims handling as someone with a higher collection value. And they are also protected against exposures they are vulnerable to in their day to day lives.
There is no reason a collector of any size should feel their investment isn’t enough to be insured properly. Our hope is when their collection grows, so will our partnership with them. The limits can be increased and we can continue to provide them support and peace of mind over the years.
About the author:
Kyle McGrath’s role as an Underwriter for XL Catlin’s Fine Art and Specie practice is a true blend of her professional experience in insurance with her personal love of art, punctuated by her Art History degree from Vanderbilt University. In the insurance industry, Kyle first found herself in Aviation working as a Lloyd’s broker at JLT Specialty, then as a Professional Liability underwriter at Hiscox, followed by her role as Strategic Analyst for XL Catlin’s North America P&C practice. Kyle has had great exposure to many Specialty lines, but it’s her love of art that now finds her attending events around the world including Art Basel Miami, IFPDA Print Fair, the Armory Show in NY, Expo in Chicago, Art Toronto, to name a few.
