Corporate collecting has changed over the last 30 years. Large corporations are still acquiring art but less so in recent years. Large corporations also tend to be more specialized in their selection process for both contemporary and older art.
For mid-size and smaller corporations collections may vary from contemporary to modern works but seldom include major works of any real age. There are collections that specialize in antiques, older folk art, and regional historic pieces but these too are limited in number.
For contemporary artists the real market appears to exist predominantly in small to medium sized corporations. These
businesses want and need decor of some notoriety. Many of these businesses realize that there are works available at good prices by local and regional artists if not nationally recognized artists.
Appealing to these corporate collectors is the ideal beginning to sales in the corporate collecting art world. Finding the
companies that collect is not a hard thing to accomplish. Most corporate collections are well publicized and displayed as a matter of course for projecting an image and creation of marketing opportunities.
There are many corps that collect according to the tastes of the CEO, this is especially prevalent in small corps. These
CEOs may take advice from various company or art consulting individuals but still make all the decisions ultimately as to
what genre, media, or even particular pieces are acquired.
I know one CEO whose business involves the sale of maritime equipment. The corp and CEO own many maritime antiques and then decorate with old and new art related to the sea and ocean going vessels. Other CEOs may collect Folk Art from their home state, or collect artists from their alma mater, or only one genre or medium.
To find out what is collected by any small or medium sized corporation you will need to find out who exactly is the contact person for the corps art collection or who is the buyer. Once that is accomplished you will need to make inquiry as to what is collected, offer to show your work, and generally establish a rapport.
If you have good marketing sense or showmanship skills you may be able to coax an otherwise reticent buyer into some form of marketing scheme. These schemes could involve inviting the press to an installation or award, involving the sale with a charitable concern, or publicizing the sensational aspects of the work or installation.
Don’t be put off by disinterest of one of the buyers or CEOs just keep developing new conacts. You will meet with every possible type of reception from complete disinterest, to endlessly formal communications, to prejudices about your work or even your personal image. The answer to all of this negotiating and subsequent posturing is to be positive, flexible but resolved in your own personal goals, style and principles.
Giselle Borzov
