We’ve asked around, and few collectors have a good collection management or database listing all the paintings in their collection. Several good reasons for having an art inventory spreadsheet or database include the following:
- Insurance due diligence and insurance defense
- Estate planning
- Financial snapshot of what you own for your balance sheet
- Collection acquisition and disposition study
- Cost and profit analysis
- It’s fun and interesting
Art Collection Spreadsheets
Art spreadsheets (typically Microsoft Excel® spreadsheets) offer a straightforward approach to cataloging your paintings and artworks. Your art collection spreadsheet can be an effective tool for you to maintain over time what’s important to you, such as:
- The date the artwork or painting was purchased
- Artist’s name, title, and size of the artwork
- Whom you purchased the artwork from
- How much you paid for the artwork
- Additional notes regarding the provenance, sales tax, etc.
While not as multifaceted as custom art database reports, art collection spreadsheets are the most affordable solution for maintaining a simple record-keeping catalog of your art collection.
Spreadsheets can be customized specifically for you and include images of your paintings or artwork. One of the significant benefits of art spreadsheets is that no monthly art management software subscription is required. We can customize any spreadsheet to meet your specific needs and criteria. A couple of examples of our art inventory spreadsheet are presented below.
Art Collection Management Software And Database Programs
Art collection management, specifically art database software, is becoming increasingly popular. Type into your preferred search engine (Google), “art collection software,” and observe the number of ads and art collection software websites that appear.
You may already own a generic database program and have never thought about cataloging your collection into a program you already own. Most database programs (generic, not art industry-specific) can print PDF or collection spreadsheet reports similar to a basic Excel® report, and many generic database programs can be customized to catalog your collection.
Subscription-based art programs offer advantages over generic business database programs and come pre-programmed with efficient, customized screens, layouts, and specific art applications. Most importantly, photographic catalog layouts are explicitly developed to catalog your collection with characteristic fields predesigned for viewing and describing each painting, artwork, or collectible.
Cataloging your art in an industry-specific art collection management program can require more commitment. Still, it can also be more enjoyable and rewarding and add an intelligent element of expertise and efficiency to your passion. Viewing your entire collection at your fingertips and comparing images side by side on a monitor can also increase your proficiency with analysis, decision-making, estate planning, and insurance. Art database programs also provide many additional applications besides straightforward cataloging and record-keeping. CRM, photographic reports, cloud-based (photography) storage, website compatibility, and e-commerce integrations.
If you are curious about cataloging your collection, considering a spreadsheet design or art database software application, or discussing your options. We can assist you and invite you to contact us.
