Promoting Collectionism

Estampa

The foundation is one of the sponsors of the Estampa contemporary art fair, which renewed its in-person activity in 2021 after cancelling the previous year’s edition on account of the health crisis.

Two extraordinary editions were held last year with a view to reactivating the art market—from 8 to 11 April and from 21 to 24 October—at which safety protocols were put in place and a complementary virtual space was created.

At both editions, the foundation sponsored ‘De la mano de un coleccionista’, which is a programme consisting of free, guided visits organised by the Asociación de Coleccionistas Privados 9915, courtesy of which visitors interested in contemporary art receive a guided tour of the fair at the hands of experts.

At the last edition, these visits focused on the work of women artists. Moreover, a foundation artistic creation and research initiative was undertaken, which consisted of making a space available to exhibit the works of all the artists that have taken part in Derivada to date.

First Collectors-ARCOmadrid

During ARCOmadrid, Fundación Banco Santander promotes First Collectors, a free, customised advice programme to initiate those interested in starting their own contemporary art collection.

It is managed by the Arte Global consultancy, which specialises in cultural management projects. Its experts make purchase proposals to suit the preferences and budgets of the interested party based on a prior questionnaire. Those who request the service also have the possibility of enjoying an accompaniment service to the galleries present at the fair.    

A digitalised customer service was offered at the latest editions that enables the customer to receive the selection of artists and works on their mobile phones and to make appointments with the galleries to see the works.

UIMP Summer Courses

In 2021, the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo in Santander renewed the foundation sponsored Encuentro de Coleccionismo, Arte Contemporáneo y Sociedad. 

This eighth edition combined an online session with two in-person ones at which a group of sector professionals, chaired by Rosina Gómez-Baeza, analysed the current situation and the outlook for the future for contemporary Spanish creation on the international scene.

Due to the restricted capacity imposed by the health situation, the speakers were recorded and made available to those interested on the recently created UIMP Televisión platform.