A single platform, continuing as one
The relationship between FNB Art Joburg and BMW Group South Africa has over time given rise to a collecting community shaped by different points of entry and a shared orientation toward contemporary art. What began as two distinct pathways has revealed itself to be part of the same trajectory, one defined less by category and more by movement.
In bringing the BMW Young Collectors Co. into the broader framework of the BMW Collectors Co. this shift recognises what has already been taking place. The transition from first acquisition to sustained engagement has never been a fixed threshold but a continuous process of looking, learning and committing.
This recalibration does not introduce a new structure so much as it clarifies an existing one. It allows for a more fluid understanding of what it means to be a collector, one that holds space for emergence and experience within the same community.
What remains constant is the emphasis on access, proximity and exchange, the conditions that make collecting possible and the relationships that give it meaning. In this way the BMW Collectors Co. continues as a singular platform, now more closely aligned with the ways in which collectors move through the field.
Does this mean I am leaving one club and joining another?
No. This is not a move from one club to another. What was previously two pathways within the BMW collecting ecosystem is now more clearly one community. You remain in the same community you joined, with the same access, benefits, and connections, now unified under the name BMW Collectors Co.
Why are the Young Collectors Co. and Collectors Co. merging?
Over time, it became clear that both pathways are part of the same journey of engagement with contemporary art. This recalibration recognises what has already been happening: members progress naturally from early engagement to sustained collecting. The change reflects this continuity rather than introducing a new structure.
Will my membership benefits change?
Your existing benefits remain intact. Where possible, we aim to enhance experiences by aligning offerings more closely with the way collectors actually move through the ecosystem. Access, proximity to artists, and curated opportunities remain central to your membership.
Will I need to do anything differently?
No action is required. Your membership continues seamlessly, and your points of contact, invitations, and access remain as they were.
Does this affect the way events, acquisitions, or programming work?
Programming will continue with the same care and attention you’ve come to expect, now with a more integrated approach that reflects the community as a whole. The change allows for a more fluid experience across all stages of collecting.
Who can I contact if I have questions about this change?
Our team remains available to answer any questions. You can reach out through your usual membership contacts or email vip@artjoburg.com for support.
Q: What is the benefit of this recalibration for me as a member?
You benefit from a clearer, more seamless pathway through collecting, deeper engagement with artists and peers, and a strengthened sense of being part of a single, continuous community. It allows you to grow as a collector without feeling constrained by artificial thresholds.
How do I become a BMW Collectors Co. member?
You can apply to become a member by filling out the form in the link here.
What is the BMW Collectors Co?
On one hand, South Africa’s existing community of collectors is advancing in age and is in need of diversity. On the other hand, there is a learning and experience void in the field of art collecting. An initiative of FNB Art Joburg and BMW, the BMW Collectors Co. exists to develop a new generation of art collectors that will collect and buy African art on African soil. By cultivating a fresh perspective on art patronage, the initiative has the power to create a new generation of collectors that will ensure the African art economy continues to grow for generations to come.
What is the criteria to become a member?
Following a nomination process, executives, founders, entrepreneurs, and leading creatives, will be invited to join the network of imminent art collectors.
Can I nominate myself?
Yes, you can nominate yourself.
I am neither a CEO, founder, entrepreneur or creative. Does this mean that I can’t be nominated?
You can be nominated. The BMW Collectors Co. is aimed at people who are leaders, irrespective of their field.
But do I need to make a certain income to join the BMW Collectors Co.?
No. You don’t need to fall into a certain income bracket to become a member of the BMW Collectors Co.
Do I need to have an art collection to become a member?
No, however you should have an immediate interest in starting a collection of contemporary African art.
I am an artist/curator/gallerist, can I join the BMW Collectors Co.?
No. This round of nominations is only open to people working outside of the arts and culture field.
If I am eligible, why should I join the BMW Collectors Co.?
The BMW Collectors Co. has an annual programme that consists of a series of bespoke events that span studio visits, conversations with established collectors, access to private exhibition receptions, and the BMW Collectors Co. signature events. Attending these events will give members exclusive access to the inner workings of the contemporary art market, as well as opportunities to interact with the people who are shaping the global art market in a way that could help members shape their own prolific art collections. In addition, the BMW Collectors Co. members are tomorrow’s decision makers. If you become a member, you will have the opportunity to network with these people.
Can I share my membership with someone else?
Unfortunately not. But you can nominate people in your community who meet the criteria.