1. Art Magazines

You could get insight on the art market via magazines, books, blogs, or social networks. When planning for a visit to a gallery or an art fair, try to find some information online regarding the artists and the event. You can choose to subscribe to art bulletins or magazines to get exclusive information. If you mix your sources, you’ll expand the area of art news or get different angles on a similar event. Platforms like Africultures and ContemporaryAnd provide relevant information on African art events and topics. While social networks like Artsy and Curiator enable you to discover and share your taste with the community.

2. Art Exhibitions

Art galleries and museums are mostly open to the public and often exhibit work of contemporary African artists. While visiting a museum, you can take advantage of the explanations provided by the exhibition guide. He could help you understand the work of an artist or provide you more information on an art style. You can focus on a period, a theme, or a medium to single out the artists whose work triggers a strong reaction to you. In general, you’ll find more work of established artists in museums, and work of emerging artists in galleries. Sometimes it is possible to meet and speak with the artist represented by a gallery, especially during the opening of an exhibition.

3. Art Fairs

Art fairs are recurring events that occur over several days and present work of different artists. Unlike major exhibitions, the primary objective of an art fair is to sell artworks. However, the majority of the works could be sold before the fair is open to the public, because some private collectors might have exclusive access to galleries. When you understand the operational intricacies of the art fairs it’s easier to adapt your strategy. You might not approach one fair for a purchase, but use your time there to discover new art style and become familiar with emerging artists. Art fairs could also be a good place to observe new trends appearing in the field.

4. Art Talks

You could enrich your understanding of the art by attending art talks. Most cultural institutions hold periodic talks about art given by critics, curators, and artists. Some are free while others are held during events like biennials or major exhibitions. You should subscribe to your local cultural institutions if you want to stay in the loop about upcoming lectures and debates. Several universities also offer contemporary art courses, and some offer specific courses on African art. Some art documentary films presented in movie theaters often feature a discussion or debate at the end of the projection.

5. Art Trips

Art trips can prevent you from being limited to art which is already accessible from where you live. If you can afford to take cultural weekends away or benefit from a trip to visit new galleries, then you’ll expand your understanding of the art world. You could discover African art by visiting several African cities. Still, African art is not exclusively represented on the continent. Major exhibitions are usually organized in Europe and travel to several countries around the world. Some hotels also have strong art connections and could help you find specific art-related information such as auctions, festivals, exhibitions, and conferences.