NEW COLLECTORS’ PROGRAM
Enrollment and Program Structure
Overview
The ISE-DA New Collectors Program is a membership-based initiative designed to guide emerging and early-stage collectors through a thoughtful, structured engagement with contemporary art.
Operating on a biannual seasonal cycle, the program provides a clear and supportive pathway for members to deepen their understanding of collecting, refine their aesthetic vision, and connect meaningfully with the broader art ecosystem.
Membership runs on two six-month seasons per year:
Fall/Winter: September – February
Spring/Summer: March – August
Enrollment for each season opens twice annually — late February to March for the Spring/Summer term, and late August to late September for the Fall/Winter term.
Each enrollment period allows new members to join for the upcoming season or renew their participation at an elevated level of engagement.
How the Program Works
A clear five-step seasonal cycle for the ISE-DA New Collectors Program.
Enrollment Process
1. Expression of Interest
Prospective members are encouraged to begin by submitting the ISE-DA Interest Form, which allows the advisory team to learn more about your collecting goals, interests, and preferred mode of participation.
Completing the Interest Form does not constitute formal enrollment — it simply indicates your interest in the program and ensures you are notified when the enrollment period opens.
Once enrollment begins for the respective season, you will receive an email invitation with a direct link to register for your selected membership level.
2. Enrollment and Application
The New Collectors Program offers both open and application-based memberships, reflecting the varying levels of engagement and advisory depth across the program.
Cultural Enthusiast Level (Open Membership):
Open to all new members. This tier can be joined immediately via the registration link during any open enrollment period. Available in both in-person and virtual formats.Cultural Patron and Cultural Steward Levels (Application-Only Membership):
Admission to these tiers is by application and approval. These levels are designed for collectors seeking more individualized guidance, structured advisory sessions, and a greater degree of strategic support.
Applications for these tiers are reviewed to ensure that the level of support and access aligns with each collector’s experience, goals, and collecting stage.
Program Structure
Members may begin their journey at any tier within the program. As their collections, interests, and strategic focus develop, members may advance to higher tiers that provide increasingly personalized engagement and professional-level advisory support.
The program is organized into two main membership categories:
Open Membership – Cultural Enthusiast
An introductory seasonal membership designed for those beginning to explore collecting. Members gain access to:
Curated lists of exhibitions, fairs, and cultural events
Educational resources and reading recommendations
Group walkthroughs and discussions led by ISE-DA
Invitations to select events and gallery programs
This tier focuses on building awareness, knowledge, and confidence as a new collector within the art ecosystem.
Application-Only Membership – Cultural Patron & Cultural Steward
These upper tiers offer deeper engagement and more individualized guidance.
Members receive:
Personalized advisory sessions tailored to their collecting goals
Strategic guidance on acquisitions, artist engagement, and collection building
Narrative development support, helping to define each collector’s perspective and voice
Exclusive invitations to private viewings, institutional events, and collector programs
VIP access to select international art fairs and ISE-DA-led travel opportunities
These tiers are ideal for members ready to transition from early-stage collecting to a more defined, professionalized approach with structured advisory support.
Membership Fee and Renewal
The membership fee covers one six-month advisory term (referred to as a season).
Memberships are structured on a subscription basis, renewing automatically every six months unless a change in membership level or pause in membership is requested before the next enrollment period.
Members are welcome to update their level of participation at the conclusion of each season.
Key Dates
Spring/Summer Enrollment: Late February – March
Fall/Winter Enrollment: Late August – Late September
Our New Collectors’ Program is currently only offered in-person in New York and virtually, but if you are based outside of New York and are interested in keeping up to date as we roll out the program and more events in other cities, fill out our Interest Form here.