Fundraising Auctions:
      Issues and Recommendations for Collectors

This Professional Guidelines topic is intended to more fully inform collectors about the impact that fundraising auctions have on the art community, what issues should be considered prior to and after an auction, and recommendations as to how collectors can maximize any benefits that they may receive by participating in an auction. Ultimately, we believe that the behavior of collectors can and should help change the way fundraising auctions are conceived and conducted.

This is one of four Professional Guidelines documents about Fundraising Auctions, each addressing a different perspective.
        Fundraising Auctions: Issues and Checklist for Artists
        Fundraising Auctions: Issues and Impact for Galleries
        Fundraising Auctions: Issues and Recommendations for Collectors
        Fundraising Auctions: Issues and Alternatives for Art Organizations

These documents provide insights and helpful suggestions for all members of the arts and crafts community. You’re welcome to read all four to see a thorough discussion from all perspectives.

Auctions can be a successful way for organizations to raise needed funds. However, frequent auctions by one group or multiple groups within the same geographic area can have a significantly negative impact on the arts community—the very constituency they often wish to support. Unfortunately, fundraising auctions have gained a reputation for selling artwork at considerably less than market value. Consequently, over-reliance on auctions as fundraising mechanisms may ultimately harm galleries, individual artists and collectors, by siphoning off gallery sales, devaluing artists’ work, and impairing the artists’ and galleries' ability to make a living.

Organizations sponsoring or benefiting from fund raising auctions, especially those involved with the arts and crafts communities, should act responsibly when planning fundraising efforts. Artwork needs to be handled and displayed with care and respect. Every effort should be made to obtain the highest price for donated work, minimum bids should be established and honored, and all information regarding the purchaser forwarded to the artist for their records.

Bidders at auctions should be encouraged to be generous in their support of the organization (and the art community. It is hoped that bidders see these auctions primarily as an opportunity to support the sponsoring organization—and, by extension, the art community-- and not simply as a means to find quality work at bargain prices.