By Janet Sellers
Art to buy, lease, or rent has its benefits
We can buy art, but we can also lease or rent artworks. Sculptures and artworks lend a powerful uplift to places, especially businesses. One primary source for art leasing is the artmakers themselves. Leasing allows the prospective buyer to get a feel for the art in the place, such as a corporate building or to give a special atmosphere to a property—visitors and tenants like to feel the luxury that art brings to a place.
Museums offer art rentals, and there are art rental agreements with art collectors as well, since rental and leasing income is another way that art generates income while keeping ownership. Museums and private collectors are two ways to do this, and sometimes galleries will rent or lease artworks. Often, the temporary art rental may become a sale as well. Art dealers also allow a trial period to see if the art and collector have a good fit. This allows the renter to experience the art without the full commitment of purchasing it and benefits the artist because the artwork is out working in the world, generating income even before it is sold.
An asset class that is fun to own
As a store of wealth to grow capital over time, art is an asset class that has a potential to generate wealth, especially when viewed as long-term investments. Art is a limited, scarce resource that benefits from its scarcity. Of course, the maker of the artworks, the artist, needs to have a sales history, a track record, to show value and the potential to increase in value. As it has a fixed supply, this can drive up prices.
You can claim art as a tax deduction by demonstrating that your primary intent in owning the artwork was to generate income, as governed by IRC 212, because the art expense can be deducted as it relates to this provision—it’s an expense for production of income. Purchased for business use or corporate holdings under specific circumstances, your fine art, original works by living artists and even collectibles (Pokeman makes a comeback) could qualify. It wouldn’t work as a depreciation deduction because it doesn’t wear out, and it is an investment that can increase in value, so the cost is a key factor as well as the appreciation when sold.
Our local artists have a wide range of art for sale, some for lease or rent. Our art galleries and interior decor venues offer art all year to enjoy. Our Art Hop season begins in May. The fourth Friday of the month, just show up in downtown Monument 5-8 p.m.
Janet Sellers is a professional artist, writer, and speaker, offering fine art, informative talks, and art experiences in the Tri-Lakes region all the way to the Pacific Coast. Contact her at JanetSellers@ocn.me.
Other arts articles
- Art Matters – Is our education keeping up with visual literacy? (2/4/2026)
- Art Matters – How Gen Z influences our cultural and financial future (12/31/2025)
- Art Matters – Art curation: We all do it, even with holiday trees and gift wrapping (12/4/2025)
- Art Matters – Art shapes our world—and shifts our gaze (10/30/2025)
- Art Matters – October is Arts Month: Artober with Monumental Impact (10/1/2025)
- Art Matters – What is art good for? (9/3/2025)
- Art Matters – We Can’t Unchop a Tree (7/31/2025)
- Art Matters – The many benefits of outdoor art and arts events (7/3/2025)
- Art Matters – On being a sketchy person in the art and cultural sector (6/7/2025)
- Art Matters – May Art Hop and art on the street (5/3/2025)