The Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2022

Key takeaways from HNW collectors into their spending, trade within the art market and outlook

This year saw the return of art fairs and live events. What has become their preferred purchasing channel? How has their behaviour changed in the first half of 2022?

Written by Dr. Clare McAndrew, founder of Arts Economics, and based on a survey of more than 2,700 collectors in 11 key global markets, conducted in collaboration with UBS, the new report examines the willingness of collectors to travel and attend events post-COVID, as well as their changing sentiment towards buying locally versus internationally. The report also profiles the composition of their collections in terms of gender, artist status, and other key variables; and examines the international trade in art across borders.
A Survey of Global Collecting in 2022 continues the research conducted over the past seven years by Art Economics and UBS and is the largest of the surveys conducted to date.

Here we share six key findings from the report, which can be downloaded below.

Global trade continues to grow

Global imports of art and antiques increased 41% in 2021, with exports up 38%, and double-digit increases continuing into the first half of 2022 compared the same period in 2021. If cross-border trade continues at this pace for the rest of this year, record levels could be reached by the end of 2022, indicative of confidence in the major art markets.

Collectors are optimistic and spending more

Median expenditure by HNW collectors increased in all markets during the first half of 2022, especially in France, Mainland China and Hong Kong. At $180,000 over the first six months of the year, it was higher than the entire year in 2021 ($164,000), with both surpassing averages in pre-pandemic 2019 (at $100,000). Despite the uncertain times we live in, most of the HNW collectors surveyed (78%) were optimistic about the global art market’s performance over the second half of this year.

Art fairs are back

Almost three-quarters (74%) of collectors surveyed had purchased work at an art fair in 2022, compared with just more than half (54%) in 2021. As more and more real-world fairs returned, 65% said that they had bought a work at an in-person event (up from 37% in 2021), while 59% were still buying through art-fair online viewing rooms.

Yet online spending is still strong

Live art fairs may have returned, but 95% of the HNW collectors surveyed said they had purchased works of art without viewing them in person, and just over half (51%) said they did this regularly.

HNW collectors are willing to pay a premium for more sustainable options

HNW collectors consider their carbon footprint one of their four chief concerns when thinking about buying a work of art, and 57% say they are willing to pay up to 25% on top of the purchase price in order to reduce the environmental impact of their acquisition, from its creation to shipping and packaging. Almost all (98%, up from 90% in 2019) said that they would opt for a sustainable option even if it was more expensive and slower.

Pledges to donate art are rising

The pandemic also appears to have encouraged philanthropic giving among some collectors, with 45% intending to donate works to a museum over the next 12 months, up from 29% in 2020 and 43% in 2021.

Key findings from our annual analysis of the global art market

The art market proved its resilience in 2021, but did it fully regain the ground lost during the pandemic? Did the shift online continue unabated, and what was the impact of the rise of NFTs? Authored by renowned cultural economist Dr Clare McAndrew, Arts Economics, the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report offers the definitive guide to the rapidly changing art market landscape. The report also features results from a survey of over 2,000 HNW art collectors across 10 key markets by UBS Investor Watch and Arts Economics – providing insights into buyer behavior.

Here, we share five findings from the 2022 report, which can be downloaded in full below.

Global art sales rebounded above pre-pandemic levels

The art market bounced back strongly in 2021, with aggregate sales of art and antiques by dealers and auction houses reaching an estimated $65.1 billion. Representing a 29% increase on the previous year, this figure outstrips the market’s 2019 value by $0.7 billion. The US remained dominant with a share of 43% of global sales by value, while the UK slipped back behind Greater China to third place. Meanwhile the French art market saw its strongest year in a decade produce an impressive 50% uplift in sales year-on-year.

HNW collectors engaged

The UBS Investor Watch and Arts Economics survey indicated an increased dedication from HNW collectors, who on average purchased more art and antiques in 2021 than they did in 2020. The value of their purchases also rose, with median spend more than doubling and the proportion spending over $1 million also rising dramatically.

HNW collectors still prefer to buy from dealers

Dealers remained the preferred channel for buying art amongst the HNW collectors surveyed, with 76% having purchased through this channel at some point in the year. While online sales retained a greatly increased share of total art sales by value compared to 2019, if given a choice between offline and online experiences, most HNW collectors (69%) still preferred to view art for sale in person at a gallery or fair. 19% preferred to view art online, and 12% were indifferent.

Interest in NFTs

Outside the art market, the total sales value of art-related NFTs on the Ethereum, Flow and Ronin blockchains increased over a hundredfold to $2.6 billion. NFTs appear to hold growing appeal to HNW art collectors, with 74% of those surveyed having purchased art-related NFTs in 2021. Following landmark sales at auction, interest shows no sign of abating, with only 4% of HNW collectors surveyed stating they were not at all interested in purchasing NFTs in future. Discover more analysis

Collecting with purpose

The pandemic reconfigured societies and forced us to rethink how we collect and engage with art. For some HNW collectors this has led to a growing emphasis on philanthropic giving, with a substantial increase in those intending to donate works to a museum within the next 12 months – up from 29% in 2020 to 43% across the 10 markets surveyed. This share was highest in France (56%) and the US (50%).

Our new report provides fresh insights into the art market with data from more than 700 dealers and 500 high-net-worth collectors

How has an unprecedented period shaped the art market? The Art Basel and UBS mid-year review ‘Resilience in the Dealer Sector’ provides fresh insight, analyzing the global dealer sector in the first half of 2021 amid the continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Authored by renowned cultural economist Dr. Clare McAndrew, the report is based on responses from more than 700 dealers operating across 54 regions or countries. It also integrates fresh insights from a survey of 500 high-net-worth collectors, conducted by Arts Economics and UBS Investor Watch across five markets (the US, the UK, Hong Kong SAR (China), Germany, and Switzerland), as well as data from UBS Evidence Lab. Here, we share five key findings:

More than half of dealers reported an increase in sales

51% of dealers surveyed reported an increase in sales in the first half of 2021, versus the same period in 2020. Dealers in Asia reported the biggest improvement in sales, with an average increase of 18% - including a rise of 6% for businesses in Greater China. The most challenging environment was in Europe, where dealers reported an average decline of 7%.

Collectors remained engaged, with millennials leading the way

Collectors surveyed remained active in the first half of 2021 – with the median expenditure on art and antiques jumping by 42% on average, to $242,000, compared to $170,000 across the whole of 2020. Millennial collectors had the highest expenditure overall, at $378,000 – more than three times the level of Gen X and Boomers.

Female spending rose – while female artists became more prominent

In the first half of 2021, spending by female collectors increased by just over one third to $410,000 – more than double the level of their male peers, which saw growth from 2020 of just 9% to $163,000. There was also evidence that female artists are becoming better represented in collections, accounting for 42% of all works, versus 39% in 2020, and 37% in 2019.

Digital acceleration continued

Online channels accounted for 33% of all dealers’ sales (or 37%, including art fair Online Viewing Rooms) – more than double their share in 2019. The greatest number of online sales were made via dealers’ own online channels – including their websites and OVRs, social media channels, and email.

Sustainability is top of collectors’ agendas

Our survey revealed that 77% of collectors surveyed are thinking about sustainable options when it comes to purchasing works of art or the management of their collections. Christl Novakovic, CEO UBS Europe SE and Head Wealth Management Europe and Chair of The UBS Art Board, said: “Out of crisis springs innovation and drive for change, and UBS aims to collaborate further with collectors to make advances in these areas.”

September 2021

Discover key findings from our annual analysis of the global art market – from the impact of COVID-19, to digital innovation and growth in female spending

How did the art market perform in an unprecedented year? Authored by renowned cultural economist Dr Clare McAndrew, the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report offers the definitive guide, analyzing the impact of COVID-19 and other forces that continue to shape the market in 2021 and beyond.

The report features results from a survey of more than 2,500 collectors across 10 key markets by UBS Investor Watch and Arts Economics – providing fresh insights into buyer behavior. Here, we share five findings from the report, which can be downloaded in full via the link below.

Global sales of art and antiques reached an estimated $50.1 billion in 2020

The figure was down 22% on 2019, but still above the 2009 recession low, when sales fell by 36% to $39.5 billion. The US market retained its position as leader, with a share of 42% of global sale values. Greater China and the UK followed, on par at 20% - however Greater China overtook the US to become the largest public auction market, with a share of 36% of sales by value.

Online sales reached record highs - doubling in value

Though the pandemic forced many auction houses, galleries and fairs to abandon in-person activity, it also accelerated digital transformation. Online sales doubled in value from 2019 to reach a record high of $12.4 billion. The figure represented a record 25% share of the market’s total value - the first time the share of e-commerce in the art market has exceeded that of general retail..  

Many collectors felt the pandemic increased their interest in collecting

Despite having fewer opportunities to buy in-person, collectors surveyed remained actively engaged with the art market in 2020, buying an average of nine works, versus 10 in 2019. 66% of those surveyed said the pandemic had increased their interest in collecting, and one third (32%) said this increase had been significant. Many intend to be active in 2021, with 57% planning to purchase more work. Foot traffic data from UBS Evidence Lab offers early indications of renewed visits to commercial galleries in 2021.

Female buying power and artist representation

Women spent more than men, with their median expenditure rising 13% year-on-year to $154,000. Although gender representation is still an issue across all regions surveyed, there are some indications that the share of female artists’ works in collections is slowly improving over time, having increased to 39% in 2020, versus 37% in 2019, and 33% in 2018. Female collectors were more likely to have a greater share of works by female artists in their collection than men (42% versus 36%).

Next Generation

Millennial HNW collectors were the highest spenders in 2020, with 30% having spent over $1 million (versus 17% of Boomers). Millennials were also more likely to be active online, reporting greater use of online viewing rooms offered by art fairs and galleries, and social media channels.

March 2021

How has an unprecedented period impacted the behavior of galleries and collectors? A new mid-year survey by Art Basel and UBS shares initial insight

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a humbling impact on many industries including the luxury segment and the $64 billion art market. A new, mid-year survey by Art Basel and UBS, ‘The Impact of Covid-19 on the Gallery Sector’ aims to provide initial insight into the impact of the crisis, with responses from 795 galleries covering 60 different markets, and 360 collectors from the US, UK and Hong Kong SAR (China).

The report is authored by renowned cultural economist and Founder of Arts Economics, Dr. Clare McAndrew, and integrates research from UBS Chief Investment Office and UBS Evidence Lab Insights. To mark its launch, McAndrew joined Paul Donovan, Global Wealth Management Chief Economist UBS, and Noah Horowitz, Director Americas Art Basel in a conversation led by Melanie Gerlis, Art Market Columnist and Contributor Financial Times.

‘On average, galleries saw their sales drop 36% compared to the same period in the first six months last year,’ says Clare McAndrew—findings that mirror sales across luxury goods industries. Nearly all galleries closed their premises between January and July 2020, and one third of galleries downsized, losing an average of four employees, with around half of losses being full-time.

Collectors remain active and engaged

‘Although it’s been a tough market, collectors are still purchasing, based on the data that we gathered from the collectors survey with UBS,’ comments Noah Horowitz. Contrary to other recessions, gallerists noted an acute awareness and strong drive by some collectors to support the arts. In the first half of 2020, most collectors across all regions purchased a work of art, with 6% purchasing ten or more. Of those surveyed, 59% said the COVID-19 pandemic had increased their interest in collecting, with 31% saying it had done so significantly.

Millennials continue to be the biggest spenders

The survey revealed differences in behavior across generations: only 3% of millennial collectors had not purchased an artwork in 2020, versus over one third of boomers. The millennial segment also had the largest share of high spenders, with 17% having spent over $1 million in the six-month period, versus just 4% of boomers. Nearly all millennial collectors and most Gen X collectors were actively working with galleries during the crisis, while 40% of boomers reported that they were not actively working with a gallery at this time.

The art market’s shift online has accelerated—and is here to stay

The art market has historically been slow to embrace e-commerce; however, findings indicate that this has changed in the face of the crisis. In the first half of 2020, online sales accounted for 37% of galleries’ total sales—up from 10% in 2019. Of the collectors surveyed, 85% or more had visited online viewing rooms for galleries or fairs, with just less than half of those having used them to finalize the purchase of an artwork. The majority (66%) of galleries surveyed anticipated that online sales in the gallery sector would further increase in 2021.

Collectors welcome improved price transparency

A shift towards greater price transparency through online viewing rooms and digital platforms was cited anecdotally by collectors as one of the more progressive outcomes of the crisis: 81% felt it was important or essential to have a price posted when they were browsing works of art for sale online, and some also felt this was important to maintain in future on- and off-line sales. ‘I think that’s something you can’t ignore,’ says McAndrew. ‘It’s good for new buyers and established collectors, as well as advisors.’

Boomers are more likely to continue to seek new discoveries

During the first half of 2020, one-third of collectors chose to only buy works by artists they were familiar with, or had bought before—a trend which, if continued, could reinforce the status quo, making it harder for younger artists and galleries to become established. Significant differences, however, were found between generations: ‘the Boomer generation is actually the one most interested in looking for new galleries, which runs contrary to what you might have thought,’ notes Horowitz. 35% of Boomers said they were seeking new discoveries—more than twice the share of millennial collectors.

Collectors continue to value physical encounters with art above all

Though online platforms are widely used, collectors indicated that they are not their preferred means to interact with the art market. Asked how they would prefer to view art, 70% opted for attending a physical or offline exhibition or fair, versus 30% who preferred to use online viewing rooms or other online platforms. Despite ongoing restrictions on travel, most collectors (82%) were still actively planning to attend exhibitions, art fairs and events sometime in the next 12 months. ’Humans are naturally curious; we don’t like sitting at home,’ says Paul Donovan, who anticipates international travel will return despite an immediate trend towards localization.

Asked to identify a positive emerging trend, Donovan identifies the ‘striking’ surge in business creation since the end of lockdowns. ‘People are setting up their own businesses. To me, that signals a general degree of confidence in the economic future [..] We always underestimate how much people can adapt in the face of changing circumstances. I think the same applies for the art market.’

Commenting on the report Christl Novakovic, CEO of UBS Europe SE and Head Wealth Management Europe, said: ‘From our conversations with collectors it is apparent that there is a continued drive to support the market. Digital platforms can increase price transparency and broaden the base of new buyers at different price levels. Strengthening this globalized community is essential for the health of the market in the future.’

September 2020

Where is the art market’s largest centre? And which demographic spent the most in 2019? Discover key findings from the definitive guide to the global art market

In 2019, global art sales eased 5% year-on-year to an estimated $64.1 billion – while the volume of transactions hit a decade-high of 40.5 million, according to the latest edition of the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report. Authored by renowned cultural economist Dr Clare McAndrew, the annual analysis is the definitive guide to key trends and developments – with an additional survey of 1,300 high-net-worth collectors by UBS Investor Watch and Arts Economics providing fresh insight into buyer behavior.

Further insights include active spending by millennial and female collectors, and an increase in the number of online purchases in excess of $1million.

March 2020

The third edition of the annual report reveals a 6% increase in global art sales worldwide, with active buying by millennials and growing appetite for online sales

Global art sales reached an estimated $67.4 billion in 2018 – an increase of 6% on 2017, according to findings published in the third Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report. Authored by renowned cultural economist Dr Clare McAndrew, the annual analysis provides fresh insight into a complex market, identifying key trends and assessing the impact of wider economic shifts.

Sales across 2018 brought the global art market to its second-highest level in a decade, representing a rise of 9% since 2008. Other insights from the report, which integrates several strands of UBS research, include active buying by millennials, and growing engagement with online sales.

In 2018, the US sustained its position as the world’s largest art market, accounting for 44% of sales by value – or a total of $29.9 billion, the highest recorded level to-date. Despite political uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the UK regained its position as the second-largest market at 21%, with sales buoyed by non-EU trade: in 2018, sales rose by 8% to just under $14 billion. China was the thirdlargest market at 19%, with sales reaching $12.9 billion – a decline of 3% year-on-year.

“A very positive finding of the research this year was the dynamism in collecting by global millennials,” comments McAndrew. This trend was particularly prominent in newer markets in Asia, according to a survey of high-net-worth collectors by Art Economics and UBS. While respondents in the US were predominantly aged 50 and above, in Singapore, 46% of collectors surveyed were millennials, while in Hong Kong the figure was 39%. Collectively, millennials accounted for just under half (45%) of high-end spenders, underlining the importance of this demographic.

The online market reached an estimated new high of $6 billion in 2018, representing 9% of global sales – up 11% year-on-year. Despite this, evidence of some buyer caution remains: a UBS and Art Economics survey of high-net-worth collectors in five markets revealed that just 4% had spent $1 million or more on a work of art online.

While economic and political issues drove risk-averse buyers and sellers towards private sales in the dealer market, sales of fine and decorative art and antiques at public auction still rose in value, reaching $29.1 billion – up 3% year-on-year, and nearly 30% on 2016. High-value works had the greatest impact on this sum, accounting for 61% of total sales by value.

It was not just auction houses that witnessed growth in 2018: art fairs continued to play a central role in the global art market, with aggregate sales estimated to have reached $16.5 billion in 2018 – up 6% year-on-year. The share of the total value of global dealer sales made at art fairs was 46%.