September 2005 Feature: Own Art

THE CASTLE GALLERY in Inverness was one of the first galleries in Scotland to promote the Scottish Arts Council’s ‘Own Art’ scheme. The pilot scheme last year proved so successful that it has now been rolled out to other approved galleries in Scotland.

The basic principles are simple. The gallery, through the SAC, offers 10 months interest-free credit for the purchase of original works of art, up to a value of £2,000. Once the paperwork is completed and approved the customer can take home their painting, sculpture, hand-made print or craft work.

Customers at the Castle Gallery were initially a little hesitant at using the scheme but now it is in full swing with at 3 or 4 applications each month. Art purchasers have found the scheme to be particularly useful for purchasing higher priced paintings at exhibition previews. In many instances they have managed to afford a painting that prior to the introduction of interest-free credit was unobtainable.

Castle Gallery in Inverness.

This is good news for the customer, the artist and the gallery. Customers can seize the moment and make an impulse purchase to buy a unique work of art that might not otherwise be there the next time they visit the gallery.

Own Art is intended to promote the sales of original art rather than reproduction prints and posters. It enables many potential art collectors to purchase works of art to enrich their lives, without spending a fortune. Hand-made etchings, screenprints, lithographs, ceramics, hand-blown glass and other quality pieces can be purchased for as little as £100 under this scheme.

Own Art takes some of the snobbery out of buying art

However, the scheme can be of financial benefit to most people interested in art because money will remain in their personal accounts for another 10 months, gaining interest, whilst the Own Art interest-free loan is gradually repaid. It makes financial sense.

Own Art takes some of the snobbery out of buying art and by opening up the art market makes original art available to many more people.

Inside the Castle Gallery in Inverness.

If you would like to take advantage of this scheme, don’t hesitate to visit the Castle Gallery or any of the participating galleries and ask for further information, or visit the Scottish Arts Council’s web site (below).

Participating galleries are Amber Roome, Doggerfisher, Edinburgh Print Workshop, Ingleby Gallery, Leith Gallery, Merz Gallery, Red Door Gallery, Royal Scottish Academy and Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh; the Gatehouse Gallery, Glasgow Print Studio, Modern Institute, Roger Bilcliffe Gallery, Sorcha Dallas in Glasgow; the Collins Gallery at Strathyclyde University; the Stenton Gallery in East Lothian; Peacock Visual Arts in Aberdeen; the Castle Gallery and Kilmorack Gallery in Invernesshire; the Custom House Gallery and High Street Gallery in Kircudbright; Frames Contemporary and Strathearn Gallery in Perthshire; the Jerdan Gallery in Crail; the Juno Design Gallery in Dunoon; Dundee Contemporary Arts and Eduardo Alessandro Studios in Dundee; Tolquhon Gallery in Ellon, Aberdeenshire; Finsbay Gallery in South Harris, Bonhoga Gallery in Lerwick and the Riverside Gallery in Stonehaven.

Denise Collins is the Director of the Castle Gallery

© Denise Collins, 2005

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Own Your Own Art

DENISE COLLINS describes the benefits of the Scottish Arts Council’s Own Art scheme

Own Art takes some of the snobbery out of buying art

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