<prompt> Human: I realize this is a pretty specific question for this sub, but I want to start collecting art and I have set aside a little expendable income to do it, but I dont know where to start. Does anyone have experience with collecting art and how figuring how it appreciates? I like discovering new artists and can afford more on the up and coming side.  <response>: Its unfortunately a very speculative market to get into, and to be honest unless youve got a few zillion spare bucks sitting around and a curator at your beck and call, its very unlikely youll ever make a decent chunk of change at it. My dad started collecting several years ago, and were at the point of needing to build an addition on the house just for the extra wall space. He said in the last 15 years hes had one piece appreciate semi-significantly 2K, mostly because the artist died in some tragic and odd way. If youre dead set on doing it, focus on a specific area and learn everything before registering for your first bidding card. Can you spot a fake? A really good fake? Do you have the right equipment and conditions to store the art so it doesnt degrade? Have you got an eye for art, because its not as easy as it looks like on White Collar. Have you got the financial freedom to wait years before you see any sort of gain? I really really do not recommend getting into it to make money unless youre going to start with Sothebys-level money and you can afford to lose. Buy things you like, and if they gain a little value, think of it as a bonus. 