Scotland celebrates success of Own Art scheme

IFACCA/Artshub, 21 July 2005,United Kingdom

Within six months of establishing the Scottish Arts Council’s Own Arts scheme, more than 140 customers have made use of interest free loans offered by the scheme to purchase new works of contemporary art and craft worth £84,000. Owing to the scheme’s initial success a further 22 galleries throughout Scotland have been selected to participate in the initiative. The Own Art concept was developed by Arts Council England and offers interest free loans (typical 0% APR) of £100 to £2,000 to make it easier for people to buy high quality contemporary art and crafts. The Scottish Arts Council aims to use the scheme to help foster ‘a nation of art collectors and help develop the visual arts economy in Scotland.’ The Modern Institute in Glasgow is one of the latest galleries to be selected for participation in the Own Art scheme. Spokesperson, Toby Webster, said: ‘I am delighted that the Modern Institute is now involved in Own Art – the scheme creates a great financial framework to be able to afford unique artworks by contemporary artists. For people who would like to start collecting or have already started, it should provide a painless system which will benefit the artists immediately.’ Mary Smith, owner of the Bonhoga Gallery, also participating in the scheme, adds: ‘As one of Scotland’s more remote galleries, Bonhoga is delighted to offer a chance to purchase art on the same terms as venues in the city, thus removing another parochial barrier. This is a great opportunity for visitors to the gallery to extend, or begin to collect art. The opportunity to purchase work on an interest-free basis allows folk to buy pieces that may, in normal circumstances, be beyond their reach. This has advantages for the buyer, the gallery and the artist who may now be able to sell more expensive works.’ Wendy Law, Visual Arts Officer at the Scottish Arts Council and Manager of the Own Art scheme in Scotland, says: ‘Own Art is all about developing the visual arts market in Scotland and in the first six months, all of the galleries involved have had new customers buying work which they would not have been able to afford otherwise. We are delighted to add another 22 galleries to the scheme, bringing the total of galleries involved to 31. Own Art, however, is not just good for the galleries and their customers, it is also benefiting artists. More people buying original artwork will create more demand for work by Scottish artist and because Own Art offers qualified buyers instant credit, galleries can pay artists almost immediately.’ For further information, CLICK HERE

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