Art for Everyone: Collecting with Heart | Delia LaJeunesse | Museum Backstage | Ep 105

Can art collecting be approachable — even if you don’t know the “right” words or have a massive budget?

In this episode of Museum Backstage, I’m joined by Delia LaJeunesse, founder of Delia LaJeunesse Art Consulting, for a behind-the-scenes conversation that gently dismantles the idea that art is only for elites.

Delia shares how she helps first-time and seasoned collectors find art that feels emotionally resonant, personally meaningful, and actually good to live with — not just “good on paper” as an investment. We also get into the surprisingly vulnerable side of collecting: intimidation in galleries, fear of “bad taste,” and why so many people feel like they were never invited into the art world in the first place.

And yes — we go there on AI: what it means for artists, collectors, and why Delia believes story and human connection will become even more valuable as machine-made content grows.

If you’ve ever felt awkward in a gallery, overwhelmed by the art market, or unsure where to start… consider this your backstage pass. 🎟️✨

Places & orgs mentioned

• Bell Projects (Denver) — gallery with a “living room” viewing space: https://www.instagram.com/bell_projects/?hl=en
• Art Basel (Basel, Switzerland) — referenced as overwhelming but eye-opening: https://www.artbasel.com/basel?lang=en

Online art marketplaces mentioned

• Artsy: https://www.artsy.net/
• Saatchi Art: https://www.saatchiart.com/

Book mentioned

• Your Brain on Art (Delia recommends): https://www.yourbrainonart.com/

Ways to find artists

• Instagram (following artists + seeing process/behind the scenes)
• Local galleries and arts organizations (as a great starting point)
• Gallery newsletters + press releases

Connect with Delia

• Website: https://delialajeunesse.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dlartconsulting
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delia-lajeunesse/
• Newsletter (every other Thursday): https://delialajeunesseartconsulting.substack.com/
• Email: [e-mail]

Question for Listeners

Delia crowdsourced this live: Is there a better term than “art consultant”?

If you’ve got ideas, drop them in the comments — we’re serious. 😄

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Museum Backstage

00:44 Meet Delia LaJeunesse: Art Consultant Extraordinaire

02:03 Making Art Accessible and Personal

03:01 Delia's Unique Approach to Art Consulting

05:23 The Personal Touch in Art Collection

06:46 Navigating the Art Market

10:55 Supporting Artists and Building Connections

13:38 Art Appreciation Practices

30:48 The Role of Art in Everyday Life

32:51 Generational Shifts in Art Collecting

33:50 The Impact of AI on Art and Collecting

39:03 Navigating the Art Consulting Business

40:10 The Importance of Art in Personal and Professional Spaces

43:17 Balancing Multiple Roles in the Art World

46:36 Supporting Artists as Business Owners

53:39 Frequently Asked Questions and Final Thoughts

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