Love in a cold climate

4 August 2011

Winter romantics are taking advantage of the COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme, commissioning engagement rings and wedding ring sets from Tasmanian jewellery designers.

Launched by the Tasmanian Government in November 2008, the COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme is an innovative interest-free loan scheme designed to support Tasmanian artists.

The Scheme is open to all Australian residents, giving Tasmanian artists the opportunity to sell their work to a national audience, with 25 per cent of purchases made by interstate residents.

Ms Giddings said over 500 art collectors had used the scheme to purchase works by living Tasmanian artists from participating galleries across the state.

“Art collectors have used the Scheme to purchase original Tasmanian paintings, photographs, sculptures, furniture, jewellery, drawings, glasswork, textiles, metalwork, ceramics and new media,” Ms Giddings said.

“An exciting component of the COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme has been the ability to commission new work.

“Jewellery, particularly engagement and wedding rings, have proven to be popular commissioned pieces, giving couples a special opportunity to design unique and intricate tokens of their love.

Newly-weds, Kevin Redd and Tracey Nicholson recently commissioned their wedding ring set through Metal Urges Fine Jewellery.

“I already knew of the COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme and was thrilled that the Tasmanian Government was supporting our creative industries in this way,” Mr Redd said.

“Tracey and I were able to utilise the Scheme to commission our wedding rings. This really changed my perception, as I had not previously thought of jewellery as fine art.

“We were privileged to be involved in the artistic process from the outset.

“Chris Hood and his team at Metal Urges turned our ideas into reality and the COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme brought it all together.”

Mr Hood said COLLECT gave his customers insight and involvement in the creative process.

“This has led to a greater awareness about how jewellery makers are perceived. Supporting local artists has also been a big drawcard for our customers.”

Million dollar milestone for Tasmanian artists

22 September 2010

Minister for the Arts, David O’Byrne MP, today announced an innovative Tasmanian visual art purchasing scheme has achieved a remarkable $1 million milestone, less than two years since it was first established.

Mr O’Byrne said the COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme offers interest-free loans, payable over 12 months, from $750 to $7,500 for Australians to buy contemporary, original artworks by living Tasmanian artists.

“Two months shy of its official second birthday, the scheme has enabled over $1 million to be invested in work produced by our local artists,” Mr O’Byrne said.

“With an average loan of $3,000, the State Government has supported the career development of more than 120 artists through 12 participating galleries.”

Mr O’Byrne said COLLECT is modelled on a similar scheme in the United Kingdom, and is the only initiative of its kind in Australia providing ongoing support to the visual arts sector.

“COLLECT has also encouraged new art collectors, both locally and nationally,” Mr O’Byrne said.

“With thirty per cent of applicants from interstate, we are now seeing more Tasmanian art exported to the mainland than ever before, facilitating national recognition for our artists.

“There have been no defaults on loans, and it is also interesting to note that we are now starting to see repeat business through COLLECT, with approximately 20 applicants taking out a second loan after finalising their first.”

Mr O’Byrne said feedback received from participating galleries has indicated that the scheme is supporting the Tasmanian gallery sector through increased sales from walk-in customers, and from interstate collectors applying online.

“Participating galleries have recognised the benefits that their participation in the scheme has brought to their business and to the artists that they represent,” Mr O’Byrne said.

Rhonda Lisson, owner of The Tasmania Shop and Gallery, said the scheme provided a great opportunity to support Tasmanian artists and the sale of their work.

“From an artist's point of view, they can see a genuine long-term commitment to the arts and culture by the Tasmanian Government and in turn this has buoyed the local industry,” Ms Lisson said.

Colville Gallery’s Trudi Young said COLLECT has been phenomenally successful for the Tasmanian visual arts industry.

“The response from the public has been hugely positive and people have been encouraged through the accessibility of the scheme to start collecting artworks by Tasmanian artists,” Ms Young said.

Artwork available for purchase through COLLECT encompasses a broad range of art, including, but not limited to, paintings, prints, glass, ceramics, jewellery, sculpture and furniture.

The scheme has been used to purchase the work of 120 Tasmanian artists, many of whom have sold multiple pieces, including Mandy Renard, Matthew Armstrong, Michaye Boulter, Geoff Dyer, Rex Heathcote, Chen Ping, Junko Go, Simone Pfister, Jerry Michalski, Nick Glade-Wright, Tom Samek, Stephanie Tabram, Peter Battaglene, Chris Bennet, Katy Woodroffe and Michael Weitnauer.

COLLECT is administered by arts@work, the industry development arm of Arts Tasmania, part of the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts.

COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme - six months on

1 July 2009

The Collect Art Purchase Scheme continues to go from strength to strength proving to be a very successful initiative offering considerable support to the visual arts sector. Launched by the Minister for the Arts, the Honourable Michelle O’Byrne MP on 12 November 2008, the Collect Art Purchase Scheme offers interest free loans for the purchase of contemporary artworks by  living Tasmanian artists.

“Collect was established by the State Government to stimulate the economy, encourage new art collectors, export Tasmanian art off the Island and support the career development of Tasmania’s visual artists,” said Ms O’Byrne.

“In the seven months since the Scheme has launched, 103 loans have been issued to purchase 113 artworks at a total value of $342, 073. The incredible response to the Scheme has far exceeded the State Government’s expectations, already meeting the projected fourth year target for loan funding,” she said.

“We are absolutely delighted with the response to the Collect Art Purchase Scheme,” said Ms O’Byrne. “With 35% of Collect loans being issued to interstate residents, the Scheme is definitely encouraging the export of Tasmanian artwork. Feedback received from the participating galleries also indicates that Collect is attracting first time collectors and in many cases, increasing the galleries’ sales, which is fantastic in the current economic climate.”

Collect is delivered in partnership with the nine participating galleries around Tasmania who immediately recognised the benefit their participation would bring to their business and the artists they represent.

"The Collect Art Purchase Scheme has helped the Tasmania Shop and Gallery through a crucial time in the art world. It's giving people an incentive to buy original art work especially young couples who are first-time buyers to the art market” said Tasmania Shop and Gallery Director Rhonda Lisson. “From an artist's point of view, it's obvious that there is a genuine commitment to the arts and culture by the Tasmanian Government which is wonderful and Collect has given us a great opportunity to support Tasmanian artists and the sale of their work."

The Collect Art purchase Scheme has been used to purchase the work of 59 Tasmanian artists, many of which have sold multiple pieces through the Scheme including Mandy Renard, Matthew Armstrong, Adrian Barber, Michaye Boulter, Madeleine Goodwolf, Geoff Dyer, Rex Heathcote, Chen Ping, Junko Go, Simone Pfister, Jerry Michalski, Nick Glade-Wright, Tom Samek, Peter Battaglene, Chris Bennet and Michael Weitnauer.

The Scheme is administered by arts@work, the industry development arm of Arts Tasmania, Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts.

COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme launch

12 November 2008

In an Australia-wide first, The COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme, launched by the Minister for the Arts, The Hon Michelle O’Byrne on 12 November, puts Tasmania at the forefront of investment in the visual arts.

Based on similar, highly successful schemes from the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands, the COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme is intended to introduce new collectors to the visual arts and boost sales and export of Tasmanian art across Australia.

Tasmania has such strong practitioners in the visual arts and crafts, with inspiration coming from the rich physical surroundings and the unique physical resources.

The launch of the Scheme, at Carnegie Gallery in Hobart, was applauded by the galleries as a strong initiative that will enable more people to buy original artworks that have the potential to appreciate in value over the coming years.