Overview

Aimed at empowering collectors of all levels—from novices to veterans—with the knowledge and tools to effectively manage and enrich their collections, 21st Century Collecting is a three-day course crammed full of experiences and encounters in the art world. The course is designed to transform the often overwhelming responsibilities of collecting into an enriching and enjoyable journey. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting out, this course provides invaluable insights and practical advice to enhance your collecting experience.

Led by Georgia Powell, co-founder of CURA Art, 21st Century Collecting offers participants a unique opportunity to learn directly from experts in the field in an intense series of studio and gallery visits and lectures, held over three days. The course covers essential aspects of collecting, such as how to document, manage, and ensure a legacy for your collection. Sessions are interactive, featuring real-life case studies and practical tips that can be directly applied to any collection. Powell's extensive experience in conservation, museum studies, and art curation, combined with her passion for promoting the role of private collectors, ensures a rich and insightful educational experience. Her connections across the art world will ensure you get unparalleled access as you meet artists and curators across up to ten London studios and contemporary art galleries.

Lectures emphasise the evolving role of the collector in the broader art ecosystem. Topics include strategic acquisition focusing on under-represented artists and the importance of patronage in sustaining the arts. Participants will explore how to build meaningful relationships with artists and specialists, and how to navigate the complexities of the art market. Through these discussions, collectors are positioned not just as owners but as crucial supporters and custodians of art, fostering a sense of responsibility and contribution to cultural heritage and creativity. 

Schedule

Gallery Tours and Studio Visits are shown for example only, but to give you a sense of what to expect on this course, these are the visits students made during the three-day course held in 2023.

Day 1

Morning

Lecture: The Role of the Collector Today
This session will introduce the course, and the role of the collector within history and today, considering why and how people have collected. Current collecting trends will be discussed, with case studies and helpful tips for navigating the art market and building relationships with key players. 

Lecture: Collecting is Not Just Acquiring 
The patronage and philanthropy of collectors is becoming increasingly vital for the support of artists and sustaining the arts more broadly. Whether it be focusing their acquisitions on under-represented groups, educational or philanthropic initiatives, providing access to the works they own, or supporting artists directly through funding and grants, this renewed sense of patronage will be vital to the arts going forward. 
 
This session will explore the increasingly important role collectors have, and the fulfilling and impactful experience it can be. You will consider collecting strategy, and ways to focus your patronage. You will also learn about building meaningful relationships with artists, working with specialists, and how to be a part of the art eco-system through philanthropy. 

Afternoon

Lecture: The Importance of Being Informed 
Collectors are custodians for an artwork or object during their lifetime or the time it spends with them, yet the work will live on with the right care. It is important for collectors to understand the surrounding responsibilities to owning art and precious objects, but this should not be an overwhelming prospect. 
 
This practical and informative workshop session will include several specialists and introduce important subjects to consider when owning art, including inventory management and documentation, research and due-diligence before and after sale, as well as how to safely display and store art with preservation in mind. Storage, framing and other logistics will be discussed, as well as the importance of valuations and appropriate insurance. 
 
You will leave the session with top tips that can be easily implemented into your collecting practice. 

Experiences and Meetings

London-based Gallery and Artist Studio visits, e.g.

• Guided tour of Christie’s King Street view
• Visit to Royal Academy and Cork Street galleries
• Conservation studio visit: Simon Gillespie

Day 2

Morning 
Experiences and Meetings

London-based Gallery and Artist Studio visits, e.g.

• Christopher Le Brun Studio Visit

Afternoon

Lecture: Thinking to the Future 
The broadening of collecting and importance of the art market in recent decades, coinciding with a decrease in arts funding means that significant masterpieces of both contemporary and historical creators will be in private hands rather than public institutions. 
 
Creating and owning a collection is a privilege and honour, you have the opportunity to be inspired by and learn from it, to care for it, to uplift and promote contemporary artists, and champion creatives from the past. You are a connector and caretaker, and can utilise your position to benefit both the artists in your collection, and add to the value of what you own. 
 
It’s never too early to consider your collection’s life outside of your care. This session will explore the legacy of your collection, whatever scale it is on, and provide you with information to consider such as promoting the artists in your collection, providing access to particular works, creating a narrative to your collection and encouraging discourse with specialists, curators and art historians. 
  
Panel Discussion: Meeting 21st Century Collectors
In this final session, we will hear from a group of collectors of varying disciplines and interests, and at different stages of their collecting journey. Their experiences and insight will provide inspiring and helpful knowledge, and summarise subjects covered throughout the course through real-life examples. 

Experiences and Meetings

London-based Gallery and Artist Studio visits, e.g.

• Cristea Roberts Gallery Visit – Tour with Charlotte Salisbury

Day 3 

Morning

Experiences and Meetings

London-based Gallery and Artist Studio visits, e.g.

• Clare Shenstone Studio Visit
• Tour of London Galleries – FUMI, Unit London, Gillian Jason Gallery

Afternoon 

Experiences and Meetings

London-based Gallery and Artist Studio visits, e.g.

• ‘The Line’ Sculpture Trail in East London
• David Batchelor Studio Visit

*Schedule and topics are subject to change. 

Learning Outcomes

Develop Strategic Collecting Skills
Gain the ability to develop a thoughtful collecting strategy that emphasises both personal passion and support for under-represented artists, aiming to enhance the cultural and monetary value of your collection.

Understand Collection Management
Learn best practices for inventory management, documentation, and due diligence to efficiently manage and preserve a collection, ensuring its legacy and integrity.

Navigate Art Relationships and Markets
Acquire skills to effectively build and maintain relationships with artists, curators, and specialists, and to navigate the complexities of the art market with confidence.

Implement Practical Preservation Techniques
Master practical techniques for the care, display, and storage of art, including understanding the importance of framing, storage conditions, and insurance.

Promote and Support Artistic Communities
Understand the role of patronage and philanthropy in the arts, and how to use your collection to support and promote contemporary artists and contribute positively to the broader art ecosystem.

Academic Profile

Georgia Powell founded CURA Art with her business partner, Liza Shapiro, in order to support and encourage those that collect. Based in London and Los Angeles, CURA Art offers a personal and trusted approach to caring for varied collections. 

Providing specialised services and expertise, they ensure that collectors are supported with all aspects of owning a collection and that works of art and other precious objects are preserved, managed, and displayed to the highest standards. 

With training in conservation, museum studies, art history and curation, their focus is advising collectors with the management and care of their collections, as well as with their philanthropy and patronage. Georgia specialises in the professional management, research and display of collections and her passion lies in supporting the importance of the private collector in the art eco-system. Previously, Georgia gained experience at the V&A, has worked as an exhibition designer, as manager of a prestigious Cork Street gallery, and as curator of a noted collection. 

Additional Information

For any queries about this course please contact

London Courses Department

+44(0)7774 938591

Email: shortcoursesuk@christies.com

Read our Frequently Asked Questions to find out more information about short courses.