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Muskoka Art Collector / Buy Survey (Summer 2026)
Moon Over Muskoka is the name of a new business venture project from Sarah Carney, a current EMBA graduate student at Queen’s University Smith School of Business.
As part of the new venture, Carney is undertaking research on the local arts market in Muskoka. Part of her research is understanding how residents, cottagers, weekenders, and day-trippers purchase art.
Please take a moment and fill out the following survey on how you purchase art in Muskoka. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out at
sarah.carney@queensu.ca
. Thank you.
1.
What is your residency status in Muskoka?
Full-time resident
Cottager / Seasonal resident
Weekend traveller
Daytripper
Other (please specify)
2.
Have you purchased artwork in Muskoka in the past two years?
Yes
No
3.
If yes, what type of artwork did you purchase? (Select all that apply)
Paintings (Oil, Acrylic, Watercolour)
Photography
Sculpture / Woodturning
Pottery / Ceramics
Glasswork / Jewelry
Textiles / Fiber Art
Digital Only
Other (please specify)
4.
Where did you purchase art in the past two years? (Select all that apply)
Local art gallery
Art gallery located outside of Muskoka
Art Fair
Community Event
Through known relationship with artist
Through art consultant or investor
Other (please specify)
5.
Do you have a specific annual budget set aside for purchasing art?
No, I buy spontaneously if I like a piece.
Yes, under $500
Yes, $500 – $10,000
Yes, $10,000 – $50,000
Yes, over $50,000
6.
What primarily drives your art purchases? (Select all that apply)
Aesthetic / Decorating my space
Cultural / Supporting local artists and community
Financial investment
Souvenir / Memory of Muskoka
Other (please specify)
7.
If you have NOT purchased artwork in Muskoka recently, what has stopped you? (Select all that apply)
High prices / Out of my budget
Haven't found pieces that match my taste
Lack of space in my home/cottage
Don't know where to look or find local art
Not interested in buying art right now
Other (please specify)
8.
Where do you typically look at art in Muskoka? (Select all that apply)
Annual events (e.g., Muskoka Arts & Crafts Summer Show, Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour)
Local commercial galleries (e.g., in Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst)
Public galleries / Community spaces (e.g., Chapel Gallery / MA&C on Main)
Farmer's markets, local antique shops, or clothing boutiques
Directly from artists online (Instagram, personal websites)
Websites for Private Sales (auction houses)
Other (please specify)
9.
What subject matter or style appeals to you most? (Select all that apply)
Traditional Muskoka landscapes / Lake & cottage scenes
Wildlife and nature
Abstract / Modern art
Rustic / Reclaimed wood and industrial styles
Functional art (pottery, wearable jewelry, turned wood bowls)
Other (please specify)
10.
What is the maximum amount you are typically comfortable spending on a single piece of artwork?
Under $100 (Casual gifts, small prints)
$100 – $500 (Small originals, high-quality pottery/crafts)
$500 – $1,500 (Mid-sized original paintings, photography, or sculpture)
$1,500 – $5,000 (Large feature pieces or high-end fine art)
$5,000+ (Investment-grade or commissioned work)
11.
How important is it to you that the artwork was created by a local Muskoka-based artist?
Extremely important — I only buy locally made pieces when shopping here.
Very important — I would prefer to buy locally made pieces when shopping here.
Somewhat important — I like supporting local, but will buy any piece that connects with me.
Not so important — I care about the piece itself and somewhat interested in where the artist is from.
Not at all important — I care strictly about the visual piece, not where the artist is from.
12.
Have you purchased artworks online without first seeing it in person?
Yes, I have purchased artworks online.
No, I need to see the work in person before I make a purchase.
