Romania’s Art Market shifts toward investment and growth

The Romanian art market is entering a new phase of maturity, with collectors increasingly combining emotional motivations with long-term financial thinking, according to the latest study released by Deloitte Romania.

The second edition of the Romania Art Report, conducted in collaboration with the RAD Association and Artmark, shows that contemporary painting dominates acquisition preferences, accounting for 76% of purchases, followed by classical painting at 54%.

More than 80% of respondents perceive the local art market as developing or already maturing, signaling a strong sense of confidence in its trajectory.

From passion to strategy

While collecting remains largely driven by aesthetic and emotional factors (41%), the study highlights a gradual shift in mindset. Cultural involvement ranks second (25%), while interest in legacy planning (14%) and investment potential (12%) is steadily increasing.

This evolution suggests that art is no longer viewed solely as a personal pursuit, but also as a potential alternative asset class.

A more diverse collector base

The profile of Romanian collectors is also becoming more diverse. Entrepreneurs represent the largest segment (18%), followed by corporate professionals (13%), cultural specialists (13%), liberal professions (12%), and IT professionals (7%).

This growing socio-economic diversity reflects increased interest from capital-driven profiles and signals a broader integration of art into financial and lifestyle strategies.

Local focus, global potential

Despite this evolution, Romanian collections remain predominantly local. Over 69% of collectors own fewer than ten international works, pointing to strong loyalty to domestic artists but also to untapped internationalization potential.

Artworks are primarily displayed in private homes (81%), reinforcing the personal nature of collecting, while auction houses remain the most trusted acquisition channel (31%), followed by direct purchases from artists, galleries, and antique shops (each at 19%).

Online platforms, accounting for just 10%, are still used mainly for research rather than transactions, indicating cautious adoption of digital channels.

According to Deloitte, the Romanian art market is gradually transitioning from a passion-driven ecosystem to a more structured environment where art plays a role in long-term financial planning.

With entrepreneurial capital and mature professional segments supporting growth, the sector is increasingly seen not only as a cultural space, but also as a reflection of evolving private wealth and investment behavior in Romania.