As someone who just moved into a new apartment and is still working on getting their art settled, I have been doing a lot of research on where to buy the coolest and most affordable art in New York City. From going to actual exhibits, truck shows, thrift shops, and art fairs—I’ve done extensive research on what exactly to buy and who has what. To make your art life easier, allow one of the below resources to speak to you.

My main advice in all of this is to collect art that inspires you to love yourself, reminds you of your beauty, and affirms your worth. Truly, the notion that you need to know what you are looking for when you begin your search for art is probably the biggest misconception.

In actuality, collectors tell me that they enjoy the discovery journey more than anything, and are surprised and thrilled when they fall in love with a style or medium that they never would have considered before. The main thing is that you have a strong response to the work. After that, I’m always eager to learn more about the artist and what has inspired the work which can sometimes give even further reason to feel a strong connection to it.

The Auction Collective

This company specializes in featuring a mix of lesser-known, emerging artists and established ones, too. “We’ve got buyers from all over the world,” they say. A bonus for those who don’t wish to spend a lot is that all purchases through the site do not add on sales tax and royalties like galleries do.

Art Money

Rising in popularity with collectors who have a limited budget and with an ever growing list of 1,100 galleries worldwide that accept it. With Art Money, you can put down 10% on partner gallery artwork and pay the balance over 10 months, all interest-free, with galleries in New York City; Riverdale, N.Y.; and Fairfield, Connecticut. Best of all, you get the artwork immediately.

The Affordable Art Fair

This art fair—typically held in-person, but now held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic—is where all the artwork is priced under $10,000—and half of that is under $5,000. Also based in New York, Alex Mitow—who has a personal collection of 200 pieces of art, most purchased for less than $5,000—curates three Superfine! Fairs (one with female artists, another with LGBTQ+ and gay art, and the third focused on Surrealism), that recently made the decision to switch online in 2020.

Featuring more than 100 artists, each were chosen based on the merit and individuality of their work and provided coaching to help them isolate the right price points, sizes, and scales of work to show. You can be assured that the artists you’re seeing all qualify in terms of the content of their work and their professionalism.

Looking for other ways to decorate your home? Here are some of the biggest home trends of the year.

Photos via Telegraph, Art Money, Affordable Art Fair