Collecting art is a great way to invest for the future, support artists, and express your individuality. Unfortunately, many people think of art collecting as something only the very wealthy can do. This is not true.

Even people on a budget can get started with collecting art provided that they do so in the right way. While art auctions may not be an option, there are many other ways to purchase pieces that inspire you and may be worth money in the future.

Some tips to keep in mind when it comes to investing in art while on a budget include:

1. Do not ignore prints.

Purchasing original works of art can prove extremely expensive. However, many artists will commission prints of their work that are much more affordable. Even galleries and museums will reproduce popular works in this way to make owning the piece more approachable.

Prints are meant to be high-quality reproductions and are often done in limited qualities, which means they may even gain value over time. Plus, artists will sometimes sign or otherwise mark prints, which can increase the value. From the perspective of an art lover, investing in a nice frame to display the print can be just as attractive as displaying the original canvas.

2. Explore multimedia art.

Many people think of art in terms of canvases and framed paintings. Because of this, other types of pieces can go overlooked, such as sculptures, wearables, and even photographs. Looking into these multimedia pieces can yield great results, as the art can be priced cheaper to encourage purchases.

Not all art is meant to be hung on a wall and varying your collection can make it much more interesting for other people to explore. You will have to get creative when it comes to displaying these pieces. However, diversifying your collection can often be an affordable way of bringing new works into your home.

3. Frequent art centers and small galleries.

There are many resources for finding nonprofit art centers and small galleries that may be located around you. Getting involved with these organizations can help you learn about upcoming shows. This is a great way to meet new artists who will sell their pieces at more affordable prices than established ones.

Visit these spaces whenever you get a chance and check out the pieces on display. You may end up finding some great pieces that are surprisingly inexpensive from local artists that have not yet developed a large demand. The key to meeting these artists and discovering their work is getting involved with the local scene.

4. Check out online galleries.

Nowadays, there are many different online galleries, and they are a great way to get access to more artists. Getting involved with your local community is a great start, but this will only give you access to a small segment of emerging artists. Also check out some online art communities to learn about names and find new opportunities.

Of course, with online galleries, you should always do your due diligence before making a purchase. Ensure that the organization is reputable and the piece you are buying is represented correctly. As long as you do this, the internet is a great resource for finding affordable pieces of art.

5. Make a payment plan.

Another option for purchasing art on a budget is to establish a payment plan. Many galleries will work with you to create such plan if there is a piece you really want but simply cannot afford. This strategy allows you to pay for a piece over the course of months or even years instead of going into debt to make the purchase.

Importantly, galleries are more likely to create these payment plans for someone they know. This is another reason to frequent openings and other events. If the gallery representatives have a relationship with you, then they are more likely to work with you when it comes to figuring out how to make a piece affordable.

6. Get to know the artists.

Befriending artists is an important way to getting involved with the arts community. Attend open studios and showings and introduce yourself. When artists know you, they will let you know about opportunities that arise and will often sell directly, which means you can avoid any fees that are imposed by galleries.

As artists get to know your style, they can also introduce you to other creators who make pieces you might like. This is especially important for emerging artists without much of a following. If you create social media accounts and promote the works of these artists, they will appreciate the publicity.

7. Make purchases based on feeling.

Few people in the world have the money it takes to make art a true investment. For most people, collecting art is about purchasing moving pieces rather than making money down the road.

While some of the pieces you purchase may end up increasing significantly in value, the best strategy for newcomers—and especially people on a budget—is to buy for passion rather than making any sort of calculation about which pieces may become more valuable. The point of art is to evoke emotion so focus on those pieces that truly make you stop in your tracks and experience the feeling.