First Collector: promoting contemporary art collecting at ARCOmadrid 2025
For the sixteenth consecutive year, the First Collector programme, managed by Arte Global and promoted by Fundación Banco Santander, will be present at the fair.
First Collector, the programme dedicated to collecting and promoting contemporary art, managed by Arte Global and sponsored by Fundación Banco Santander, celebrates its sixteenth anniversary. This free and personalised service, whose aim is to make collecting more accessible to everyone and encourage new buyers to enter the exciting world of art collecting and investment, will be offered at ARCOmadrid.
The programme, provided by the international consultancy Arte Global, offers individuals a tailor-made recommendation of artists, galleries and works of art to suit their tastes, interests and budgets. Moreover, since 2020, this service has been digitalised, allowing users to receive specific suggestions directly on their mobile devices.
As well as encouraging collecting, First Collector also supports artists whose livelihoods depend on the sale of their work. “Buying art is a fundamental way to support the artistic ecosystem and ensure that artists can continue to create,” says Borja Baselga, director of Fundación Banco Santander. “This programme aims to make collecting easier by breaking down barriers and demonstrating that acquiring art is an accessible and enriching decision that’s possible for everyone.”
Elisa Hernando, founder and director of Arte Global, highlights how the programme has evolved: “Every year we see a growing interest in collecting, and this reinforces the importance of a service like First Collector. At this edition of ARCOmadrid 2025, where more than 200 galleries are participating with nearly 1,500 artists and thousands of works on show, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to making a purchase. Our advisory service is there to help collectors navigate this vast landscape, offering expert guidance to help them make informed and confident decisions.”
A uniquely valuable programme for those wishing to start collecting
Art guidance is an essential tool for anyone wishing to start collecting as it provides information, context and reassurance when buying works of art. First Collector is a unique and valuable initiative in the art world, offering a completely free service that enables new buyers to understand the market and make informed decisions. By connecting collectors directly with artists and galleries, our expert advisers not only help to make the acquisition process easier, but also help to strengthen the art ecosystem.
First Collector by Banco Santander will have a booth in Hall 9 (9B35). The 44th edition of ARCO Madrid will be held from 5 to 9 March 2025 in halls 7 and 9 of the IFEMA MADRID trade fair centre.
Registration and further information about the First Collector programme:
+(34) 915 91 98 85.
About Fundación Banco Santander
Fundación Banco Santander strives to contribute to the construction of a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable society. To this end, it develops initiatives focusing on three areas of action: the promotion of culture as a tool for understanding the world around us, social action to facilitate the progress of vulnerable groups, and education and entrepreneurship as a driving force for society. Via all of its programmes, it seeks to create networks of cooperation with the third sector in order to address the major global challenges.
About Arte Global
Arte Global is an international art consultancy dedicated to collecting and cultural management projects for institutions, companies and individuals. Founded in 2003 by Elisa Hernando, Arte Global’s clients include Uría Menéndez Abogados, Fundación Banco Santander, ARCOmadrid, Repsol and idealista, among others.