Own Art
For more information about the finance options available, visit the Own Art website.
Own Art - Key Information
This page contains important information about the Own Art scheme. Please make sure that you have read this through carefully before continuing with your enquiry, whether in person or online.
Own Art is a publicly funded scheme, available through a network of participating member galleries across the UK. You can use Own Art to help finance the purchase of a wide range of works of art and craft by living artists. This includes ceramics, jewellery, paintings, photography, prints, sculpture and more. Spread the cost of your purchase over ten months, completely interest free. No deposit necessary.
Important information about the Own Art finance offer
You must be over 18 and a UK resident to apply for an Own Art loan. Credit is subject to status and affordability. Terms and conditions apply.
Credit is provided by Novuna Consumer Finance, a trading name of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with firm reference number 704348. There are consequences for missed payments, such as fixed late fees and an adverse impact on your credit file. Finance options vary by participating gallery. Some finance options, including 20-month agreements, are only available through galleries authorised by the FCA to carry on credit broking activities.
Own Art is a Creative United initiative supported by Arts Council England, Arts Council of Wales, Creative Scotland and Arts Council of Northern Ireland. ® The Own Art logo is a registered trademark of Creative Sector Services CIC, a Community Interest Company registered in England and Wales under number 08280539. Registered office: c/o Buzzacott LLP, 130 Wood St, London EC2V 6DL.
Creative Sector Services CIC is a credit broker and not a lender.
How to apply for Own Art
1. Are you eligible?
Own Art is available through participating member galleries to permanent UK residents over the age of 18, subject to status, lender eligibility criteria and terms and conditions.
To apply, you will need to meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. This will usually include one of the following:
- Working at least 16 hours a week (employed or self-employed)
- A retired person in receipt of a pension
- A person in receipt of disability allowance
If you do not meet one of these criteria but are married to or living with a partner who does, then you may still apply provided that your partner is happy for their income details to be included on your application form. Any application will still be subject to the lender’s assessment and terms.
2. Ask for Own Art
Once you have found the piece of work that you want to buy, just let the gallery know that you would like to apply for Own Art to finance your purchase.
If you are applying for Own Art in person, you will need to provide acceptable proof of identity and any other documents required for the application. The gallery will let you know which documents are accepted before you apply.
3. Complete the application
Staff in the gallery will take you through the loan application process, which can often be completed in around 10 minutes, although this may vary depending on the application.
Once you have given all the information they need, in many cases you will receive a decision quickly. Some applications may require further checks and may take longer.
A deposit is not usually required under the Own Art finance agreement. However, some galleries may ask for a deposit depending on the purchase.
4. Take your artwork home
Once the agreement has been signed, the process is complete. You may be able to take your artwork home straight away, depending on the gallery and the item purchased.
You will receive a welcome letter from our finance partner Novuna Consumer Finance and, following this, the monthly payments under the agreement will be collected from your account via direct debit.
The first payment is usually collected about four weeks after you have made your purchase, although timings may vary. You can contact Novuna to change the payment date to one more convenient for you, subject to Novuna’s processes.
Frequently asked questions
What is Own Art?
Own Art is a national initiative that allows eligible customers to spread the cost of qualifying contemporary art and craft purchases through participating galleries using interest-free credit over 10 or 20 months, subject to status and terms and conditions.
Who runs Own Art?
Own Art is a Creative United programme run in partnership with Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Arts Council of Wales and Creative Scotland. Creative United is a registered trademark of Creative Sector Services CIC, a Community Interest Company, and acts as a credit broker, not a lender. Credit is provided by Novuna Consumer Finance, a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with firm reference number 704348.
What are the aims of the scheme?
The aims of the scheme are:
- To make it more accessible for people to access art, regardless of their income and socio-economic background
- To enable more people to live with the art they love
- To promote the presentation and sale of high-quality works of art through a network of visual arts venues and galleries across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- To support contemporary artists by encouraging increased sales of work across a breadth of practice
Do I have to live in the UK to be eligible for Own Art?
Own Art finance is available through participating galleries to eligible permanent UK residents over the age of 18, subject to status, lender eligibility criteria and terms and conditions.
Can I apply for Own Art if I am a student or unemployed?
Eligibility depends on the lender’s criteria and your individual circumstances. Some applicants who are students or not in employment may still be able to apply in certain circumstances, for example where household income can be taken into account. Please speak to the gallery before applying for more information about the eligibility criteria.
If the customer pays no interest on the loan, who does?
Own Art provides a 0% rate finance option for eligible customers (subject to status and affordability), while keeping the scheme affordable for member galleries, by subsidising the cost of the loan with funding from Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Arts Council of Wales.
Can I use Own Art to buy a piece of work directly from an artist?
No. Own Art is only available through galleries, museums and other arts organisations that have been approved by Creative United, Creative Scotland, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland or the Arts Council of Wales as registered members of the scheme.
What sort of work can I buy with Own Art?
Works of contemporary art and craft of many different kinds fall under the scheme, including sculpture, painting, photography, textiles, limited edition prints, fashion, jewellery, glass, furniture, ceramics and multimedia works, provided they are created by a living artist. In some galleries, you can use Own Art on works of art by artists born in the 20th or 21st century. Ask the gallery for more details.
Why can I only buy works by living artists?
That is because the scheme aims to support the artists of today by encouraging sales of their work to new buyers.
Can I buy prints with Own Art?
Own Art can only be used for the sale of original prints. This refers to prints made using traditional printing methods, such as screenprinting, lithography and etching. It also includes original digital prints where the artist has used digital technology specifically to conceive and create an image in this medium. Giclée prints that are reproductions of original images created in other media are excluded, even if they have been signed and numbered by the artist.
What is the minimum amount that I can borrow with Own Art?
The minimum amount of Own Art finance is £250. This can either be for the purchase of a single item, or for a group of items where the combined value is £250 or more, subject to eligibility and participating gallery arrangements.
What is the maximum amount that I can borrow with Own Art?
Standard Own Art finance is generally available from £250 to £5,000, subject to eligibility and participating gallery arrangements. If the artwork costs more than £5,000, finance may still be available for part of the purchase price, provided you pay the remaining balance separately. Some participating galleries also offer higher-value Own Art finance, including up to £25,000 over 10 or 20 months. Finance options vary by gallery, and 20-month finance is only available through galleries authorised by the FCA to carry on credit broking activities. Ask the gallery for more details.
Can I include the cost of framing and/or delivery as part of the Own Art loan?
If the gallery is arranging additional services for you, such as framing or delivery, you can choose to include these charges as part of your Own Art loan. Please make sure you have told the gallery that you wish to do this at the start of the loan application process.
Can I use the scheme more than once?
You may be able to use the scheme more than once, and in some cases hold more than one agreement at the same time. Each application is assessed separately and is subject to a credit search, affordability checks and lender approval at the time of application.
What happens if my loan application is unsuccessful?
An application for credit may be turned down by the lender for a number of reasons. If this happens, you will receive an email explaining their decision.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
A deposit is not usually required when applying for Own Art, although some galleries may ask for one depending on the purchase. You can also choose to pay a deposit if you wish.
When will I need to make my first payment?
Your first payment will normally be debited from your account around four weeks after the date on which you received the artwork, although timings may vary. You will also receive a welcome email from Novuna confirming the date.
Can I change the date of my monthly direct debit?
Yes, this is possible by contacting Novuna Consumer Finance directly or using the Novuna app.
Are there any charges if I decide to pay off the loan early?
No. Own Art loans do not have early redemption charges. If you would like to pay off the loan, you can contact Novuna Consumer Finance to do so at any time.
Click here for information about the gallery's Set Aside purchase option.