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. |
