Whether you’re an experienced collector or just starting out, the responsibilities associated with owning art and other precious objects can often seem overwhelming. With guidance, collecting can be an incredibly fulfilling experience, that turns passion and interest into a rewarding journey. Instead of responsibilities associated with collecting, this course will encourage you to think instead of the possibilities and joy that comes with interacting with art and objects in your possession.
In this course, you will learn from collectors themselves, as well as artists and specialists in the field.
Topics such as ensuring a legacy for your collection through appropriate documentation and research will be covered, as well as guidance surrounding access to your collection through loans and other initiatives. Real-life case studies, and practical sessions will encourage you to join in, and leave you with top tips that can be applied to your own experience.
You will leave the course feeling inspired and informed, with helpful tips and advice that can be utilised throughout your collecting journey. You will be able to confidently navigate the logistics of owning a collection, and know the right questions to ask and processes to follow in the future. You will understand the broader possibilities surrounding owning art, and the fruitful relationships can that be forged with creatives and other key players.
CURA Art was founded to support collectors on their journey, to fully harness their potential, both as responsible custodians of artistic and cultural heritage, but also as promoters and supporters of creatives themselves, recognizing a shift in approaches to collecting. This shift highlights a sense of responsibility to both the work or object through its preservation and research, but also to the artists themselves, both contemporary and from art history.
Academic Profiles
Georgia Powell
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.
The Role of the Collector Today with Georgia Powell of CURA Art
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.
Collecting is Not Just Acquiring
Discussion lead by Georgia Powell from CURA Art
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.
The Importance of Being Informed
Workshop and Discussion lead by Georgia Powell from CURA Art
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.
Thinking to the Future
Discussion lead by Georgia Powell from CURA Art
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.
The Panel Discussion
Discussion lead by Georgia Powell from CURA Art
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.
