This Europa Press article marks the 15th anniversary of First Collector , an advisory service linked to ARCOmadrid that assists new art buyers during their visit to the fair. The program, developed by the international art consultancy Arte Global , offers independent and personalized guidance to facilitate the acquisition of artworks and introduce art collecting to those new to the art market.
Since its inception in 2011, the service has advised over 1,000 people interested in acquiring contemporary art during the fair, becoming a key tool for understanding the wide range of galleries and artists present at ARCO. The program is designed as a "first step" for those who wish to begin collecting or make more informed purchases, helping to contextualize the artworks and translate market dynamics into buyer's language.
The most recent data also reflects the evolution of the collector profile: in 2025, 121 applications were registered, with a virtually equal participation of men and women. The average declared expenditure was €5,460 per person, although more than half of the purchases were below €3,000, demonstrating that getting started in collecting can be accessible with professional guidance.
With initiatives like First Collector, Arte Global reinforces its role as an intermediary between the public and the contemporary art market , consolidating a support model that seeks to make collecting an informed practice open to new audiences.
Read the full article here .
