Art Collecting: Where to Buy Affordable Art in Melbourne and Beyond
Are you looking for affordable and cool artwork but don't know where to find it? I often get asked where to buy affordable art in and around Melbourne. Many people feel intimidated to walk into an empty, sterile commercial gallery. Or else they don't have the time to drive all around town. So, I've put together a cheeky little list to save you time and money.
DIRECT FROM THE ARTIST
If you have an artist you have seen on Instagram or other social media, contact the artist directly. Don't be shy! Artists love to be contacted by potential investors. Most galleries charge the artists 30% - 50% commission on any art sales, so do the artist a favour and go direct.
COMMERCIAL GALLERIES
There are so many fantastic and affordable art galleries around Melbourne. Don't be afraid to go inside and speak to the gallerist about what you like. They usually represent a wide selection of artists and have more to offer than what's on display. Some affordable art galleries in Melbourne and beyond are:
- Art to Art (North Balwyn)
- Forman Art (Burwood)
- Manyung (Malvern, Sorrento, Mount Eliza & Flinders)
- Flinders Lane (Melbourne CBD)
- Gallery Smith (North Melbourne)
- Tacit (Collingwood)
- Linden New Art (St Kilda)
- Sophie Gannon (Richmond)
- Eagles Nest (Aireys Inlet)
ONLINE GALLERIES
There are a number of reputable online galleries that support independent artists and accept returns from buyers. They periodically have sales, so sign up to their newsletters to find out when they are. Art Lovers Australia and Bluethumb support local artists and offer limited-edition prints.
- ArtLovers Australia (Australia)
- Bluethumb (Australia)
- ArtPharmacy (Australia)
- SaatchiArt (Worldwide)
ART PRIZES
Emerging art prizes are a great way to discover an up-and-coming artist. They may also offer something different and unexpected. Here are just three of the emerging art awards in Australia:
- Linden Postcard Show (St Kilda)
- Omnia Art Prize (Toorak)
- Lethbridge Small Works (Brisbane)
ART FAIRS
Art fairs are a good way to see a lot of art in one spot. Many schools host art fairs to raise money. Some affordable art fairs in Melbourne include:
- The Other Art Fair (Melbourne & Sydney)
- Affordable Art Fair (Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane)
- Albert Park College Art Show (Albert Park, Vic)
- Grammar Art Show (Toowoomba, Qld)
I hope this helps. Have fun exploring your local galleries and art fairs.
