US · International contemporary art platformA report published on October 28, 2026, finds that the UK art market's growth is lagging behind other major international markets. Despite this slower growth, the UK maintains a dominant position in Europe, holding over 50% of the continent’s art market share.
The report estimates the UK art market’s value at £8 billion in 2025, making it the second largest globally by sales. London continues to serve as a major international hub for art, but 65% of employer-registered art businesses are located outside the capital, distributed across the rest of the UK.
According to the report, 89% of UK art businesses reported annual sales below £1 million. This highlights the prevalence of small businesses in the sector and points to the potential burden of regulatory obligations on these smaller teams.
The sector supports the livelihoods of approximately 62,800 visual artists, underscoring its significance within the creative economy. These findings offer insight into the structure and scale of the UK art market, emphasizing both its strengths and the areas where growth is slower than in competing markets.
This information is important for stakeholders seeking to understand the dynamics of the UK art market and the challenges faced by smaller businesses within the sector.
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