Are you new to the art world? Save these resources.

Ensure a lasting legacy for your collection.

Your art collection will only increase in value if you pay attention to every detail.

Here are a few places to start digging deeper into art, its cultural context, and archival methods for preserving it. You can also find people who will support your efforts.

The following resources will help you to find historical information, collection management techniques, and conservation methods that will contribute to the value of your collection and ensure its long-lasting legacy.

Historical Research

Yale University Library – Art History-Related Websites

This is a goldmine of links to art history from Yale University. It also includes good places to look for art on the Internet. This page contains news feeds for various art publications, organizations, and art resources on the web.

The Metropolitan Museum – Heilbrunn Timeline

The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History explores art history around the globe in a chronological, geographic, and thematic way, using examples drawn from the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection.

This site is constantly updated by the Museum’s conservation and education staff. It has become a valuable reference tool and research resource for students, teachers, scholars, and anyone interested in art history or related subjects.

Preservation and Conservation

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works

Conservation professionals can protect our heritage and preserve our legacy by combining art and science. They also save our treasures so that future generations can enjoy them.

This membership organization, which focuses on preserving historically significant objects for future generations, supports and educates collectors about professional standards, education opportunities, research, and publications.

The materials include guides for how to care for and select a conservator and answers to other conservation questions.

Art Conservators Alliance

Art Conservators Alliance is a group of conservators that offer museum-quality services to paintings, textiles, and works of art. They will assess the conservation needs of your artwork and provide an expert opinion on how urgent and difficult it is to conserve that piece.

AXA Art Insurance

AXA ART Group, driven by a passion for the arts, aims to protect collectors and art professionals from financial loss if they suffer damage or physical failure. This group, always up-to-date on the latest trends and values in the art market, works with clients to help them manage their collections. They offer custom insurance policies, expert tips, loss prevention, mitigation, and conservation advice.

Practices at The Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Care and Handling of Artifacts

This guide, which focuses on the collection of the Museum, provides basic principles for conserving textiles, costumes, and musical instruments as well as paintings, drawings, prints, and other objects.

National Parks Service Conservation-o-Gram

The National Parks Service publishes information in small batches and provides periodic updates on museum-quality conservation techniques. The list of topics is a simple way to navigate specific processes, procedures, and materials.

Collection Management

Artwork Archive

Artwork Archive is a simple but powerful tool that allows collectors to maintain their art collection by managing all elements and relationships. The cloud-based software keeps details organized and provides analytical information that can be used to plan estates, appraise art, or for insurance. The company offers a blog and newsletter with interviews, advice, and new artists.

Financial Advisor Magazine

Art collecting is an investment that should be treated like any other. Financial Advisor Magazine offers information on managing and protecting your assets and news about world events that affect current markets and spending.

Appraisers Association

Finding qualified individuals with the knowledge and experience to appraise works of art accurately can be difficult. The Appraisers Association offers services, knowledge transfer opportunities, and guidelines specifically designed to appraise decorative and fine arts. The association can help collectors locate appraisers with the knowledge and experience to evaluate your collection.