Art has the power to transcend boundaries, both tangible and intangible ones, such as socio-economic lines and categorization. Yet, much of the world’s art exists in private collections, away from the public’s eye. A new digital platform, Collecteurs, is taking matters into their own hands—breaking down barriers, connecting cultures, and democratizing access to the vast private art collections of the world as the world's first collective digital museum. This is why Collecteurs is not just a platform but also a catalyst for a change in how private art collections are viewed and studied globally, reflecting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Reduced Inequalities and Quality Education.
At its core, Collecteurs is an online archive where 4,000 accessioned collections, 20,000 users, and over 45,000 artworks across six continents come together. Founded by Jessica and Evrim Oralkan, avid art collectors with a passion for fostering global connections, Collecteurs focuses on not just being a digitized art repository but also on being a dynamic community where art enthusiasts, curators, artists, collectors, students, and more converge to share their love for art without the need for a ticket. This is especially apparent on their social media platforms, where they have amassed tens of thousands of followers and discuss how artworks in their repository interact with relevant and progressive real-life issues. This includes everything from the genocide in Palestine to how the 2025 Art Basel is contributing to the betterment of relevant social issues.
Since being founded in 2014, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that helped to establish Collecteurs as it is known today in the art world. The slowdown during lockdown meant that global collectors had the time to embark on long-deferred projects, including the meticulous digitization, archiving, and organization of their collections. This led to Collecteurs experiencing a surge in new accounts and heightened activity, kickstarting a collective effort among collectors to enhance the identity, organization, and presentation of their collections, which allowed them to grow from just momentarily acquiring new works to shaping their own personal digital museum.
Its Collecteurs Magazine initiative is particularly commendable, as it gives space for opinions, interviews, and a broader conversation about the intersection of art and humanity beyond the works showcased on their website. They affirm a mission-driven focus, actively seeking to create positive social impact, especially through their digital exhibitions that are done in collaboration with established curators. In today’s unpredictable times, Collecteurs gives social, environmental, political, and humanitarian issues a platform of regard within the often transactional art world.
Collecteurs is also challenging the art world’s perception of collectors as passive figures by giving them the chance to create their own digital collection profiles, listing what it is they are focusing on and desire from the artworks they collect. According to Evrim Oralkan, the traditional art world narrative wants collectors to remain not only passive but also uninformed of how their artworks are made, exhibited, and sold. In contrast, Collecteurs fosters a community where collectors of all generations can come together, express themselves, and establish a deeper connection with their collections, artists, and the larger art-enjoying public.
This is especially true for younger collectors whose motivations extend beyond mere acquisition. In recent years, there has been a shift in focus from transactional passion to a genuine love for art, where younger collectors are increasingly buying art not for its investment purpose but for their enjoyment and belief in the artwork and the artist’s message. Collecteurs recognizes this and is set to announce its Museum Circles program, contributing to improved knowledge for the next generation of collectors. The digital platform helps them in their initial years of the collecting process and introduces them to an exploration of aesthetics, concepts, art history, and the intricacies of the art market.
The platform’s essence ultimately lies in filling the void created by the inaccessibility of millions of artworks stored in freeports, storage facilities, and private homes. As a public benefit corporation, Collecteurs operates with a mission to give the general public access to these unseen works. While the platform's unique revenue model, based on membership fees and services, ensures sustainability while staying true to its mission-driven focus. The platform is also open to collaborations with traditional museums. Discussions with leading museums are underway, exploring how Collecteurs can work with them to cultivate relationships with collectors, expand reach, and create new avenues for audience engagement. Its global audience becomes a channel for museum content, offering a unique opportunity for institutions to share their exhibits, conduct virtual previews, and connect with a diverse, mission-driven audience that physical spaces still lack.
In a world grappling with inequalities, Collecteurs emerges as an agent of change—bridging the gap between private art collections and public accessibility. It disrupts traditional narratives, empowers collectors, and fosters a global community united by a shared love for art. As the world's first collective digital museum, Collecteurs stands at the intersection of art, technology, and social impact. Through its innovative approach, Collecteurs paves the way for a more inclusive, connected, and equitable art world.
Find out more about Collecteurs and their different exhibitions and initiatives by checking their Instagram at @collecteursmuseum or website, www.collecteurs.com.