You don't have to buy art to appreciate it. Instead, consider purchasing a membership to a local art museum and think of their collection as your own. You'll have access to both the rotating exhibitions and the permanent collection. And you can just pop in for a half hour at a time to look at one gallery, since you don't have to work it all into a one-day ticket price. Some other tips about museum memberships:

• Take your next date to the museum, and just see if it doesn't go over better than a movie.
  
• Metropolitan art museums offer programs ranging from film screenings to jazz concerts.
  
• Most memberships offer preferred admission to special exhibits, which means no waiting in line.
  
• Individual membership at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art costs $75; Art Institute of Chicago, $75; Metropolitan Museum Of Art in New York City, $85.
  
• Museum membership is tax deductible.
  
• Most museums allow members to rent or purchase selected art.
  
• Visiting a museum more often will also keep you up to speed on emerging artists whose works you may want to buy.

Resources

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art
323-857-6000
www.lacma.org
A museum with both permanent and specially curated exhibits, offering special music and children's programs
Cost: Annual membership starts at $75 and individual exhibit tickets cost $9. After 5 p.m. and the second Tuesday of each month General Admission is free to all.

The Robert Berman Gallery
Santa Monica, Calif.
310-315-1937
www.robertbermangallery.com
A privately owned gallery that exhibits different artists' work and also hosts an auction twice a year, the Santa Monica Art Auction, featuring many emerging artists.

Art Design Resources, owner Anthony Joseph Ruiz
Carson, Calif.
310-763-0507
www.artdesignresources.com
Sells fine art in a range of prices and offers consulting services for sales, framing, lighting and hanging.