A prominent local gallery has become one of the few in Cornwall to join the national Own Art initiative, funded by Arts Council England and operated by Creative United.
John and Louise Winterton, proprietors of The Customs House Gallery in Porthleven, made the decision to introduce the scheme in a bid to make buying and collecting art more affordable for their customers.
Louise Winterton said: “We wanted to incorporate Own Art into the gallery because of its values and what it means for our customers. People might come in and browse, thinking the pieces they love are unaffordable, but now they don’t have to be thanks to this scheme.”
Launched in 2004, Own Art aims to build a sustainable and resilient creative economy that makes art accessible to all. Since its launch, over 30,000 people across the UK have used the scheme to purchase more than £25 million in contemporary arts and crafts.
Consisting of an interest-free loan, available for purchases from £100 up to £2.5k and repayable over ten months, plus an easy online application process, the scheme offers an affordable way for individuals to purchase pieces of art.
