A Part of the Art: Openartmarket.com
Openartmarket.com is an innovative platform that aims to make art investment accessible to everyone. With shares priced at just 100 kroner, it offers a unique opportunity for anyone to own a piece of artwork from both emerging and established artists. We recently sat down with the founders Aslak Hellesøy, Eivind Ingebrigtsen, and Morten Viskum to discuss their vision for broadening access to the art market and their new collaboration with Atelie.
Congratulations on the launch of Openartmarket.com! Could you share a bit about the vision behind the platform?
Thank you so much, and we appreciate the opportunity to be here! Our vision is to make art investment simple and affordable for everyone, regardless of financial background or knowledge of the art world. Art should be for everyone, not just experts or the elite. Our goal is to create a marketplace where people from all walks of life can invest in art, enjoy its beauty, and benefit from its potential capital appreciation.
How has the response been since the launch last fall?
We launched quietly, and the response has been fantastic. Over 120 individuals own shares in an average of 2.5 artworks each, with one piece having 78 owners. While the concept requires some explanation, the essence is simple: by investing a thousand kroner with Open Art Market, you can own shares in ten different artworks by ten different artists. The strong interest and trust our customers have shown in our platform demonstrates the widespread appreciation for the new transparency and accessibility we offer.
Can you tell us more about the artworks available on Open Art Market?
Absolutely. We currently have 17 artworks from 12 artists. Each artwork is carefully selected for its investment potential and artistic value. Our marketplace features artworks that span three centuries and includes a diverse range of artists, from emerging talents to established legends. And this is just the beginning; we’re adding new art every month.
While you continuosuly accept new artworks to your marketplace, how do you facilitate the physical experience of these artworks for potential investors?
In several ways. We have lent three paintings by Johan Fredrik Eckersberg to the exhibition "From Hallingdal to Madeira" at Galleri Star, running until September 22. Here, you can see these works alongside other pieces he painted, gaining deeper insight into his artistry and his influence on Norwegian art. Shareholders on openartmarket.com receive a complimentary ticket to Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium, so they can spend that money on investing in our artworks instead.
Additionally, we’ve opened a showroom at Huitfeldtsgate 19, centrally located in Oslo, just a stone's throw from you. Here, potential investors and art enthusiasts can experience the artworks firsthand. This gives us a place to showcase our beautiful artworks and makes the investment process even more tangible and enjoyable. We don’t have regular opening hours; instead, you book a time via our website.
Speaking of physical experiences, we’re excited about our upcoming collaboration. Can you tell us more about it?
Of course, we’re featuring an artwork by one of the artists on Atelie for sale on openartmarket.com. The artwork we’ve chosen is by Gunvor Nervold Antonsen and is a part of the exhibition that opened on August 22. This is a fantastic opportunity for people to experience how our platforms represent new possibilities in the art market, not to mention in Atelie's wonderful gallery right by the National Museum.
Can you tell us about other upcoming partnerships?
We have several exciting things in the pipeline. This fall, we’re collaborating with young and up-and-coming artists who we believe will capture the public’s interest. We want to create new ways for artists to sell their work, through investments in artworks, which is a new way to engage people beyond the typical art buyers.
It sounds like you have many exciting things going on. How do you envision the future of your platform?
We’re optimistic about the future. We are continuously working to enhance the experience for our customers and expand our network of partners, artists, and galleries.
Before the summer, we launched a subscription service, somewhat like a book club. Instead of a book, you purchase a certain number of shares in a new artwork each month. You can choose the amount you want to invest each month, with lower fees for those who invest more.
We aim to become the leading destination for art investment, not just in Norway. Our goal is to make art investment a regular and joyful part of everyday people’s financial lives worldwide.
Openartmarket.com is currently offering a free share as a welcome gift to the first 50 people who sign up through this link: openartmarket.com/gifts. This is a great way for new customers to get started with art investment and experience their platform.
We look forward to seeing how Openartmarket.com will shape the future of art investment, making it an accessible experience for everyone.