Is There an Art ETF? No, But These 3 Options Come Close

Wondering if there’s an ETF for fine art? Let’s break down what that actually means—and whether it exists. (Spoiler: not exactly… but we’ve found the next best things.)

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to invest in the art market—without needing millions or bidding on pricey paintings at a Sotheby’s auction.

We’ll walk you through three smart alternatives to a traditional art ETF, explain how each one works, and break down their pros, cons, and costs.

We didn’t just copy other lists—we evaluated each method based on how closely it mimics an ETF, how accessible it is for everyday investors, and how the underlying art is managed and diversified.

Whether you want a set-it-and-forget-it investment or more hands-on control, you’ll come away with a clear path forward.

First Things First: What Even Is an ETF?

Let’s break it down. ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund—a fancy name for something actually pretty simple. It’s an investment product you can buy and sell on the stock market, just like a regular stock.

But here’s the cool part: instead of putting all your money into just one company, an ETF spreads your investment across lots of different companies at once. Think of it like a bundle deal. You’re buying a slice of a bunch of different stocks that all have something in common—like big-name companies, fast-growing startups, or businesses that pay regular income.

When you own an ETF, you technically own small pieces of all the companies in that bundle.

So when people ask if there’s an art ETF, what they usually mean is: Is there a way to invest in a bunch of artworks at once, without having to purchase each one individually?

In other words, can we pool our money and take shared ownership of high-end or “blue-chip” artworks (think Warhols and Hirsts)?

As of now, there’s no art-focused fund you can just pick up on the stock market—but no worries, we’ve uncovered three clever ways to get pretty close.

1. Give Art Funds a Shot (Think of It as Group Investing, but for Art)

If you want something that feels like a collective art investment, art funds are your best bet. These are companies that pool money from lots of investors to buy high-end artworks—and you get to own a slice of that art collection, kind of like how ETFs work with stocks.

Two major players are leading the pack here: Yieldstreet and Masterworks.

Yieldstreet: Like a Bundle of Cool Art You Can Invest In

Of the two, Yieldstreet probably comes closest to what we imagine when we think “art ETF.” With Yieldstreet, you’re basically building your own mini art portfolio—your money gets spread out across a cool collection of artworks, not just one piece. Talk about diversification goals!

For example, Yieldstreet’s Art Equity Fund IV includes works by iconic artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Damien Hirst, Edward Ruscha, and Lucio Fontana. You don’t need to choose individual artworks; you just invest in the fund, and they handle the rest—monitoring the market and managing the collection in an effort to grow your investment and reduce risk.

Heads up: Yieldstreet requires a minimum investment of $10,000 (though this may vary by fund), and right now, they only accept what’s called Accredited Investors—that’s a legal term for people who meet certain income or net worth requirements (basically, they need to show they can take on more financial risk).

Masterworks: More Flexibility, Smaller Entry Point

Masterworks works a little differently. Instead of offering a big bundle like Yieldstreet, it lets you invest in individual artworks—so you can pick and choose exactly where your money goes.

If you’re feeling fancy, you can even build your own mini gallery of masterpieces on Masterworks by mixing and matching pieces. You could focus on a certain style (like post-war or contemporary art), or mix things up by investing in different artists and periods to help reduce your risk.

Masterworks is more beginner-friendly in terms of accessibility. Sure, Masterworks says you need $15K to get started—but real talk? Most newbies can hop in for way less after a quick chat with their team.

Plus, you don’t need to be an Accredited Investor to join—Masterworks is open to both retail and accredited investors.

2. Buy Stock in Companies That Collect Art (Yes, That’s a Thing)

Here’s an unexpected strategy: buy stock in companies that own huge art collections.

When we buy shares of a company on the stock market, we’re technically buying a small ownership stake in the company—and everything it owns. That includes its real estate, patents, trademarks… and yes, even its art.

Some major corporations have built up massive private art collections, often displayed in offices or stored in vaults. So in a roundabout way, buying stock in these art-loving companies technically means you own a teeny-tiny slice of their collections—but don’t count on that Picasso bumping your returns.

Here are a few companies known for holding large collections of artwork:

That said, let’s be real—this is a super indirect way to invest in art. These collections usually make up a tiny slice of the company’s overall value, and you won’t have any say in what they buy—or ever see the art in person. It’s an interesting angle, sure—but if you’re serious about art investing, it might not be the most exciting path.

Still, it could be a fun bonus if you’re already investing in these companies for other reasons.

3. Invest in the Companies Behind the Art Funds

If you’re not ready to invest directly in art or art funds, there’s another way to get involved—by investing in the companies that own the art fund platforms themselves.

Platforms like Yieldstreet and Masterworks don’t just pop up out of nowhere. They’re owned or backed by bigger investment companies, including venture capital firms (these are groups that invest money in startups or growing businesses hoping they’ll succeed) and publicly traded companies (companies you can buy stock in on the stock market).

Since Yieldstreet and Masterworks are private companies, you can’t buy shares in them directly—at least not easily. But you can invest in some of their owners or backers who themselves offer investment funds or whose stocks are publicly available.

So, while you can’t buy stock in Yieldstreet or Masterworks directly, some of their backers (like StepStone or Raymond James) are publicly traded—and may offer indirect exposure to this fast-growing niche.

Bonus: A Few Extra-Edgy Options We Didn’t Dive Into

We didn’t get into these in the main guide—but if you’re deep into the investing rabbit hole, here are two more paths worth knowing about:

Final Thoughts: What You Need to Know About These Art Investment Options

Here’s the thing about these art ETF substitutes: they usually put a few layers between you and direct control over your art investment. In other words, you’re not managing the artworks yourself—you’re relying on others to do it for you.

Platforms like Yieldstreet and Masterworks come closer to giving you that control, but even they aren’t the perfect fit for everyone. For some people who love the hands-on side of art collecting, these options might feel a little distant or less personal.

On the flip side, if you’re looking for a low-effort, more “set it and forget it” approach to investing in art, these substitutes can handle the hard work for you.

So, it’s worth asking yourself:

• Do you want to own an affordable piece of art outright—something you can hang in your home and sell whenever you want?
• Or would you prefer to own a small share of a more expensive artwork, one you won’t get to see in person?

There’s no right or wrong answer here. Thinking about which option feels right to you will help you decide whether to explore buying affordable art editions or to consider investing through an art ETF substitute.