Art galleries and institutions in Wales now have access to the Own Art initiative, a UK-wide programme dedicated to making contemporary art and craft affordable. The Own Art scheme, which will also adopt the name Ein Celf in Wales, is a publicly subsidised scheme supported by the Arts Council of Wales, which offers interest-free loans for purchasing original artworks, and will succeed the long-standing Collectorplan loan scheme, which has successfully facilitated over 40,000 art purchases in Wales
since its launch in 1983 by the Arts Council of Wales.
Operated by Creative United in partnership with Novuna Consumer Finance, Own Art is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This milestone coincides with the extension of the service to galleries in Wales for the first time, under a new partnership agreement with the Arts Council of Wales. More than 300 galleries across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland already participate in the scheme, thanks to the support of Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
A nationwide network and a fully digital system
Through Own Art/Ein Celf, Welsh galleries can now reach a much wider audience of art buyers, accessing the scheme’s UK-wide network. They will receive free marketing support to grow and diversify their customer base, and also benefit from expertise, industry knowledge, and a long-standing partnership with Novuna Consumer Finance.A key enhancement introduced by Own Art/Ein Celf in Wales is the fully digital system for processing the loans, streamlining the experience for both galleries and art buyers, by
facilitating loans more easily.
Diverse organisations across Wales
The Collectorplan network reflects the rich cultural tapestry of Welsh art, with a diverse range of over 60 galleries and institutions, a number of which have already completed their transfer to the Own Art/Ein Celf scheme, with many more expected to follow in the coming weeks and months.
From contemporary art spaces such as Gallery Ten in Cardiff, showcasing works by both emerging and established Welsh artists, to arts centres like Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw in Llanbedrog, one of Wales' oldest art venues that serves as a vital creative hub for the community, Own Art/Ein Celf offers the opportunity to purchase original works of art and craft by artists based in Wales and beyond. Other galleries transitioning to Own Art/ Ein Celf include the artist-led space King Street Gallery in Carmarthen, as well as Ffin y Parc Gallery in Llandudno, which features dynamic exhibitions that showcase some of Wales' finest contemporary artists alongside exceptional 20th-century artworks.
Over 300 galleries across the UK
Since its launch in 2004, Own Art has provided over 80,000 loans through a network of over 300 galleries, art fairs and artist-led organisations across the UK, helping more than 50,000 art buyers across the UK acquire works by emerging and established artists, while supporting the UK’s vibrant visual arts sector with more than £79 million in sales.
Surveys of users of the scheme conducted by Novuna indicate that 91% of users plan to purchase more art as a result of their experience, with 7 out of 10 customers stating they would not have bought the artwork if the scheme had not been available.
Dafydd Rhys, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Wales, said:
“Since its launch in 1983, Collectorplan has been a pioneering initiative in widening access to art in Wales by offering a straightforward way to purchase artworks in interest-free instalments. By joining Own Art’s UK-wide network, and launching Ein Celf/Own Art here in Wales, we are offering even more opportunities for Welsh galleries and artists to raise their profile and connect with art lovers everywhere.”
Mary-Alice Stack, Chief Executive of Creative United, said:
“We are delighted to be welcoming Welsh galleries into the Own Art network for the first time this autumn,
building on the legacy of Collectorplan. As we expand the service into Wales, we aim to provide even more opportunities for art lovers to connect with artists and galleries. This expansion reflects our continued commitment to stimulating the creative economy through making art affordable to wider audiences right across the UK."
Own Art is supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of England, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and The National Lottery through Creative Scotland. The scheme offers customers the opportunity to buy original artwork and spread the cost over 10 months with the benefit of an interest free loan.