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By Karin Beuerlein

Get your fine art collection off to the right start with these tips.

Tip 8: Be mindful of conservation and restoration.
Many new buyers never consider the upkeep of the piece as part of the buying decision. You may have the perfect place to display your new treasure for now, but have you thought about what it will take to preserve its integrity for the long haul? Will it be easy to install? Will it ever require storage? Ask the gallery before you buy. West says installation and storage are her two biggest art-related expenses.

One important installation tip: "Never frame in glass," Van Cleve advises. A painting can be shredded if it falls and the glass breaks. Use acrylic instead; a good framer can help you choose the right kind. "Make sure you get museum-quality framing: acid-free paper, acid-free tape, and a well-sealed frame," Van Cleve says.

Let your visitors know not to touch the artwork, and avoid placing it in a high-traffic or high-humidity setting. If the piece is damaged, you will require the services of an art restorer, and that can be expensive.

Tip 9: Do not invest in art purely for money's sake.
Unlike a new car, a piece of art does not depreciate the instant you drive off with it, leading some to believe it's a good investment vehicle. Some collectors with a visionary approach do snap up contemporary works before they become hot properties; late Los Angeles real estate investor Edward R. Broida began amassing a collection in the 1970s and ended up donating a treasure trove of valuable contemporary works to a variety of museums.

But you are not Edward R. Broida — yet. So you should not expect your choices to put your kids through college. "If you want an investment, go buy stocks," Van Cleve says. "Art is an investment in living, in making your life an interesting, aesthetic place. And yes, with the history of the art market, if you buy nice art, the value will increase, but chances are you won't live to see it."

However, in the interests of your grandchildren, you can take a tip from Broida's sheet. "If you want to have a wonderful, historical collection that's important, you should start collecting as early as you can," Van Cleve says, "and collect the works of people living at the same time as you. Buy living artists."

For detailed information on a variety of art topics, visit www.artcellarexchange.com and click on "Art Talk."

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