Northern Ireland

Interest free loan scheme to purchase art launched

Own Art is available at the 136th RUA Annual Exhibition at the Ulster Museum 
Own Art is available at the 136th RUA Annual Exhibition at the Ulster Museum  Own Art is available at the 136th RUA Annual Exhibition at the Ulster Museum 

THE Arts Council of Northern Ireland has launched a scheme aimed at making it easier for members of the public to buy artwork by spreading the cost through interest free loans.

'Own Art' allows anyone over the age of 18 in Northern Ireland, who wants to buy artwork by a living artist from galleries that are signed up to the scheme, to borrow anything from £100 to £2,500 over 10 months.

Speaking about the scheme, Suzanne Lyle, Head of Visual Arts at the Arts Council said; “Own Art is an affordable way to begin or to grow a personal art collection. The scheme not only supports local artists through the sale of their works but also opens up the idea of buying artwork to people who may not have thought about it before. 

"We now have five galleries in Northern Ireland currently offering the scheme to buyers and we would encourage more galleries in the region get involved.”

Own Art is available at the following galleries:


136th RUA Annual Exhibition at the Ulster Museum, Belfast, BT9 5AB, until Sunday 7 January 2018 


Gormley’s Fine Art, 471 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7E 


Gormley’s Fine Art, Unit F, Derry Road, Omagh, BT78 5DR 


Eakin Gallery, 237 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7EN 


Gallery 1608, 83-85 Main Street, Bushmills, BT57 8QD 

Art can also be purchased from hundreds of Own Art member galleries across the UK.  For more information and eligibility details or to sign up as a gallery member visit ownart.org.uk.