Private collectors are becoming more private, according to the latest research into the high-net-worth art lovers whose wealth powers so much of the market.
Researchers quizzed 3,100 collectors for the 2026 Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting, which is published today, and also found Gen Z is spending the most and more collectors are turning to AI to do their research.
Gen Z collectors reported average expenditure more than twice that of any other generation surveyed while nearly three-quarters (72%) of all collectors said they did moderate or significant independent research before buying art, up 10% on last year.
The report, written by Arts Economics founder Clare McAndrew, also found almost two thirds (64%) preferred to keep their ownership of art private with only 10% saying they wanted wider recognition, while of those who lend works to museums almost a third (30%) wanted anonymity.