Own Art

Image: Own Art Logo

Starting or growing your very own art collection has never been easier thanks to ‘Own Art’, an interest free loan scheme supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, which aims to make buying art more accessible. 

Own Art makes interest free loans possible for people over the age of 18 in Northern Ireland, who want to buy artwork by a living artist from galleries that are signed up to the scheme.  It works by letting you spread the cost of the artwork over 10 months, making it more affordable to buy the artwork of your dreams.

Own Art customers are able to borrow anything from £100 to £2,500. The loan can also be used as a part-payment on higher value items, helping to support more ambitious buying for higher value items. A deposit isn’t necessary.

Own Art is available at the following galleries in Northern Ireland:

• Gormley’s Fine Art, 471 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7EZ www.gormleys.ie

• Gormley’s Fine Art, Unit F, Derry Road, Omagh, BT78 5DR www.gormleys.ie

• Eakin Gallery, 237 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7EN www.eakingallery.co.uk

• Gallery 1608, 83-85 Main Street, Bushmills, BT57 8QD www.gallery1608.co.uk

• ArtisAnn Gallery, 70 Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast, BT5 5AE www.artisann.org

• Steensons, Bedford House, Bedford Street, Belfast BT2 7FD, www.thesteensons.com

• Royal Ulster Academy, 59 North Street, Belfast BT1 1NB, www.royalulsteracademy.org

• Belfast Print Workshop, 30-42 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 2ED, www.bpw.org.uk

Staff in the galleries will take you through the loan application process, which normally takes about 10 minutes. Once you’ve given all the information they need, you’ll get an instant decision.

Art can also be purchased from hundreds of Own Art member galleries across the UK, many of which specialise in different types of work from prints and photography to ceramics and jewellery, with many offering availability online also. 

For more information and eligibility details or to sign up as a gallery member visit www.ownart.org.uk