Aspen Art Museum × Art Basel present

Collector Camp

WHAT IS COLLECTOR CAMP?

Love art but unsure where to start? Spend five days (July 27–31) in Aspen with the Aspen Art Museum and Art Basel, and gain the knowledge, access, and relationships to begin collecting with confidence.

Collector Camp is a hands-on program for anyone who loves art and wants to learn how to collect it — no experience required. You’ll learn how the art market really works, discover the kind of work that speaks to you, and meet the galleries, curators, and advisors who can guide you for years to come.

Sessions are led by Art Basel leadership, advisors, and academics, and the week moves beyond the classroom into intimate visits where leading Aspen-based collectors open their homes — culminating in the museum’s ArtCrush Gala.

Summer 2026 · July 27–31

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VIEW THE FULL PROGRAM

WHAT YOU’LL COME AWAY WITH

  • An understanding of how the art market really works
  • A clearer sense of the work that’s right for you
  • The know-how to care for and protect a collection
  • Real fluency in art and the craft of collecting
  • Introductions to curators, gallerists, and fellow collectors
  • A standing line to the museum’s pool of experts

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Sessions including Why Art?, Art Market 101, and Collecting 101
  • Art Basel’s flagship talks program, Art Basel Conversations, featuring collection visits hosted by Aspen collectors Melony Lewis, Nancy Magoon, and Cecilia and Ernesto Poma 
  • A nature hike with collector Erin Pariser before the museum’s iconic ArtCrush Gala

SCHEDULE

Morning Movement — Ease into AIR Week with a morning movement session by Mindful Mayan. Blending feel good movement and gentle meditation, this practice cultivates presence and awareness — so art and ideas can be experienced more deeply.

Troop Meet-and-Greet — Why Art? An introduction by Jordan Kantor, Professor of Art History, Art Market 101 Vincenzo de Bellis, Global Director of Fairs, Art Basel, and Carly Murphy, Global Head of Collector and Institutional Relations, Art Basel, on the purposefully opaque art market, and what you should be paying attention to, Collecting 101 Meredith Darrow, art adviser, on the questions to ask before you buy, and how to assess whether a work is right for you.

Art Basel Conversations & Collection Visit — Art Basel’s flagship Conversations program comes to Aspen as part of Aspen Art Museum × Art Basel’s Collector Camp. First up: Aspen-based collector Melony Lewis.

Art Basel Conversations & Collection Visit — The series continues with iconic Aspen-based collector Nancy Magoon.

Art Basel Conversations & Collection Visit — The third speakers in this series are Cecilia and Ernesto Poma.

Nature Hike — Build up stamina for all those art fairs by keeping up with collector Erin Pariser on an invigorating hike with artists, collectors, curators, gallerists, and AIR participants!

ArtCrush Gala — The museum’s iconic ArtCrush Gala returns, with this year’s theme: Surrealism. Collector Camp members can purchase tickets while they last!

HOW TO JOIN

Access to Collector Camp is a benefit of  Castle Peak ($5,000) or Maroon Peak ($10,000) membership— each of which also includes year-round curatorial tours, fair passes, collection visits, and priority access to AIR and ArtCrush.

Become a Member  →

MEET THE FACULTY

Art Basel
Noah Horowitz — CEO, Art Basel
Vincenzo de Bellis — Global Director of Fairs, Art Basel
Carly Murphy — Global Head of Collector and Institutional Relations, Art Basel

Academics & Advisors
Jordan Kantor — Professor of Art History
Meredith Darrow — Art Advisor, National Council Member

Collectors & Council Members
Holly & Albert Baril — Collectors, National Council Members
Daniel English — Collector, National Council and Visionary Circle Member
Melony Lewis — Collector and Board Member
Nancy Magoon — Collector and Board Member
Erin Pariser — Collector and Board Member
Cecilia & Ernesto Poma — Collectors, National Council and Visionary Circle Members

Ready to start collecting with confidence?

Become a Member or reach out with questions at membership@aspenartmuseum.org