Own Art Doubles its Loan Threshold Providing More Room to Invest in Art and More Support for Artists

Own Art, the national scheme delivered by Creative United, announces a major milestone: the threshold for subsidised loans* has doubled, giving collectors more freedom to invest in the art they love while delivering meaningful support to artists across the UK.   

From 1 April 2026, you can spread the cost of original art and craft up to £5,000 through Own Art – double the previous limit of £2,500. This marks the most significant development in the scheme’s 22-year history and, with support from all 4 UK arts councils, reflects a shared ambition to strengthen the UK’s contemporary art market for everyone involved. 

Artwork: Jo Barker, Vernal I, 2024, Tapestry, £4,100 – NOW available on Own Art at Velarde 

At its heart, this change is about impact. By enabling higher-value purchases, Own Art is helping artists and makers generate greater income from their work – an important step in a sector where earnings often fall below the UK living wage. The change is informed by Coventry University’s Understanding UK Artists’ Livelihoods: The 2024 Survey, which underscores just how vital initiatives like Own Art are in supporting sustainable creative careers. 

Textile artist and Own Art advocate Jilly Edwards explains that the higher threshold will help make her work more accessible to buyers despite rising costs: “Materials over the last 6 years have increased immensely, but it’s difficult to increase my selling price by equal amounts. This increase to £5000 brings a lot of my work into this area, and so I’m hopeful of more sales. I’m hoping the galleries shout from the rooftops about this wonderful scheme & that more buyers will seek out galleries that use it”.

Artwork: John Macfarlane, Big Tree, 2026, Charcoal on paper, £4,500 – NOW available on Own Art at Celf Gallery 

For art lovers and collectors, the higher threshold unlocks new possibilities. Whether you’re just beginning your collecting journey or expanding on an established collection, you now have greater flexibility to invest in more ambitious works and build a deeper connection with the art you bring into your life. 

Own Art gallery owner, Sarah Brittain-Mansbridge MBE, Director of Cornwall Contemporary, says that: “This is a really significant move and will greatly help artists, art collectors and galleries alike. So many first time art buyers make use of Own Art to kick start their collection and without it, I feel that many would not be able to purchase an original work of art… This higher threshold of £5000 will greatly increase the selection of art available to buyers, which in turn, increases the value to artists and to the art market in general”.

By responding to clear, evidence-led insights from across the sector, this development will: 

• Enable stronger financial returns for artists through higher-value sales  
• Empower collectors to make more ambitious and confident purchases  
• Strengthens the long-term sustainability of the Own Art network 

Artwork: Lesley Bank, Kibble Palace, Looking Inwards, Misty Morning, Oil, £2,950. NOW available on Own Art at ScotlandArt

Delivered in partnership with over 300 galleries, art fairs and artist-led organisations across the UK, Own Art continues to play a vital role in connecting artists and audiences. By increasing financial accessibility, the scheme is helping to build a more resilient, dynamic arts ecosystem – one where more people can support living artists and enjoy the benefits of owning original work. 

Now is the perfect time to explore what’s possible. 

0% APR. 10 monthly payments. Minimum spend £250. Creative Sector Services CIC trading as Creative United is not a lender. Credit is available only on eligible works, is subject to status and affordability, and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC.

* The threshold changes apply to Own Art’s core scheme, which supports the purchase of original art and craft through interest-free loans subsidised by our funders: Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, Arts Council Northern Ireland, and Arts Council Wales. In addition, selected galleries within the Own Art network offer Own Art Plus. This option enables customers to access unsubsidised loans ranging from £5,000.01 to £25,000 for the purchase of original art and craft. All Own Art loans, regardless of amount, remain interest-free for customers. Ask one of our member galleries for further details, or refer to our FAQs.

www.ownart.org.uk
info@ownart.org.uk