👉🏼 We’re raising funds through AusArt Day [22nd Oct] to support artists with scholarships into our Going Pro program. We'd love your help in two ways: donate to directly support emerging artists, or share our campaign with your audience. Either way, you’re removing barriers and making professional art education accessible. Thank you! https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000kNIRa/going-pro-art-career-scholarship-fund 🔥
What does the actual data say about the art market in 2026?
Instead of guessing or listening to rumours, Claire and I dive into the real numbers from the Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2026, based on data from over 3,100 collectors worldwide.
The insights are game-changing for artists. Gen Z is now the biggest spenders in the art market, outspending every other generation by more than double. Direct-from-artist sales have more than doubled in one year. Instagram is now a genuine sales channel, not just a discovery tool. And collectors are using AI tools to research purchases at unprecedented rates.
But what does it all mean for your art career?
You’ll hear Claire and I discuss:
⚡️The shocking shift: Gen Z outspending all other generations by more than double
⚡️Why younger collectors are investing in living artists, not deceased masters
⚡️The wealth transfer that's about to reshape the entire market
⚡️How direct-from-artist sales have more than doubled in one year
⚡️Why galleries are still the most important sales channel (83% of high net worth collectors use them)
⚡️The rise of art fairs: 58% of collectors made purchases linked to art fairs, up from 39% in 2023
⚡️How Instagram evolved from discovery tool to genuine sales channel
⚡️The role of AI in collector research: 22% now use AI tools, up from 4% in 2024
⚡️Why professional presentation matters more than ever
⚡️The importance of diversifying your income streams
⚡️How galleries and artists are building partnerships rather than hierarchical relationships
⚡️The evolving gallery model: pop-ups, art fairs, and behind-the-scenes relationships
⚡️Why human-made art is becoming more valuable, not less
⚡️Real collector behaviour vs market myths
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube
------
🔗 WANT TO GO DEEPER?
👉 Want to learn how Tom and our art students make a great income from their art? Get a copy of our free cheatsheet here;
https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide
👉 This episode references the Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2026, based on data from over 3,100 collectors worldwide. Read the full survey here - https://www.ubs.com/global/en/our-firm/art/art-market-research/survey-global-collecting-2026.html
------
HOST: Tom Gerrard
✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard
✦ Watch on Youtube | @artcareeracademy
✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com
GUEST: Claire Bradshaw (Art Career Academy)
✦ Instagram | @artcareeracademy @_clairebradshaw_
✦ Website: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/
If you loved this episode, then we'd be super grateful for a 5 star review and do subscribe so that you never miss an episode. Thanks for being here!
