Buying art in Melbourne

Owning original art is one of the great pleasures of living in a city like Melbourne, where artists, galleries and studios are everywhere. You don't need to be wealthy or an expert. Many people start with a small print, drawing or photograph from a graduate show or artist-run space. This guide explains where to look, how to set a budget, the questions to ask, how Australia's resale royalty works and how to look after what you buy. It's general information; we don't value, rank or sell artworks.

Where to look

• Commercial galleries represent artists and sell their work, with exhibitions that change regularly. They're free to visit.
• Artist-run initiatives show emerging and experimental artists, and work is often more affordable.
• Graduate exhibitions at art schools at the end of the academic year are a chance to discover new artists early.
• Art fairs bring many galleries together in one place.
• Open studios let you meet artists where they work.
• Markets and design fairs sell prints, ceramics and smaller works.
• Auction houses sell works on the secondary market, from affordable to very expensive.
• Directly from artists, in person or online.

Our guide to contemporary art spaces explains the different kinds of venues.

Setting a budget

Decide what you're comfortable spending before you start, and remember extras such as framing, delivery and installation. Prices vary widely by artist, medium, size and market. Original works on paper, prints in limited editions and photographs are often more affordable than paintings. Some galleries offer payment plans or lay-by, so ask what's available.

Finding work you love

• Look widely before buying. Visit many galleries and shows.
• Notice what you return to. The works you keep thinking about are often the right ones.
• Think about where it will go. Consider size, light and how it will live with your other things.
• Don't buy as an investment unless you understand the market. Buy because you love it.

Questions to ask

• Who is the artist, and what else have they made?
• When and how was the work made, and from what materials?
• Is it unique, or part of an edition? If an edition, how many, and what number is this?
• Is it framed, and is the framing archival?
• How should it be cared for?
• Is delivery or installation included?
• What's the return or exchange policy?
• For First Nations art, how is the artist paid, and what's the provenance?

Paperwork

When you buy, ask for an invoice or receipt that includes the artist's name, title, date, medium, dimensions, edition details if relevant and price. Keep it with any certificates, exhibition catalogues and correspondence. Good records help with insurance, care and any future sale.

The Resale Royalty Scheme

Australia's Resale Royalty Scheme gives visual artists a share of the value when their work is resold. According to the Office for the Arts, eligible artists receive a 5% royalty when an artwork is commercially resold for $1,000 or more, including GST. The scheme applies to resales involving an art market professional, such as a gallery, dealer or auction house, and doesn't apply to private sales between individuals. Copyright Agency administers the scheme.

For buyers, this mostly matters when you buy on the secondary market, such as at auction, where the royalty is usually handled by the seller or auction house. If you later sell a work through a professional, the royalty may apply.

Buying First Nations art

If you're buying First Nations art, buy ethically. The Indigenous Art Code recommends buying from Code signatories, Indigenous-owned art centres or directly from artists, and the Office for the Arts publishes advice on buying authentic work. Our guide to buying First Nations art explains what to look for.

Your rights

The Australian Consumer Law applies when you buy from a business, including galleries. Businesses must not make false or misleading claims, for example about who made a work, its authenticity or its history. If you believe you've been misled, raise it with the seller first, then contact Consumer Affairs Victoria or the ACCC. The ACCC has published guidance on misleading claims about Indigenous art and craft.

Caring for your art

• Hang away from direct sunlight, which can fade works on paper, photographs and textiles.
• Avoid damp and heat, such as bathrooms and spots above heaters.
• Use archival framing for works on paper.
• Handle with clean hands or gloves, and support works from below.
• Insure valuable works and keep records and photographs.

Prints, editions and originals

Many first purchases are prints or photographs, so it helps to understand the terms.

• Original works are unique: a painting, drawing, sculpture or one-off object.
• Limited edition prints are made in a fixed number, usually signed and numbered by the artist, for example 12/30. Traditional printmaking methods include etching, lithography, screenprinting and woodcut, where the artist is closely involved in making each print.
• Open edition or reproduction prints are copies, often digital, with no fixed number. They can be lovely and affordable, but they're not original works.
• Artist's proofs are a small number of prints outside the main edition, traditionally kept by the artist.

Ask how a print was made, how many exist and whether the edition is complete. A reputable seller will explain clearly.

Commissioning a work

Some buyers commission an artist to make something specific, such as a portrait or a work for a particular wall. If you do, agree in writing on the subject, size, materials, price, deposit, timeline, how many drafts or changes are included and what happens if you don't like the result. Remember that the artist usually keeps the copyright, even when you own the work.

Buying at auction

Auctions can be exciting and occasionally offer good value, but they need care. Read the terms of sale before bidding. Check the buyer's premium, a percentage added to the hammer price, and any other fees. Inspect works in person at the viewing if you can, read condition reports and set a firm limit before the sale. Remember that auction sales are usually final.

Buying online

Many galleries and artists sell online. Before buying, check that the seller is genuine, look for clear contact details and an ABN, and read the returns policy. Ask for extra photos, including close-ups and the back of the work. Confirm the dimensions, as works can look very different on a screen. Check delivery arrangements and insurance in transit.

Copyright: what you're buying

When you buy an artwork, you own the physical object, but the artist usually keeps the copyright. That means you can hang, enjoy and resell the work, but you generally can't reproduce it, such as printing it on products or using it in advertising, without the artist's permission. Ask if you have a particular use in mind.

Key points

• Buy what you love; galleries, ARIs, graduate shows, fairs and artists are all good places to look.
• Set a budget that includes framing and delivery.
• Ask about the artist, materials, editions, care and returns, and get a detailed invoice.
• Eligible artists receive a 5% resale royalty on commercial resales of $1,000 or more.
• Consumer law protects you from misleading claims about artworks.