These can include galleries, museums, artists' studios, specialized publications, art newspapers, exhibition catalogues, organizations, centers, and schools. Visiting galleries, museums, and artists' studios familiarizes one with what has been done in the past and what is presently being accomplished. Gallery owners and shop proprietors can be a great source of information. They can explain a work and also arrange a meeting with an artist or recommend other galleries which exhibit similar works. Subscribing to publications in the field keeps one informed as to current events and advancements in the field.
Exhibition catalogues are also an excellent source of information on current activity in a field.
Organizations, centers and schools, in addition to their libraries, offer a look at new artists and advancements in a field. However, historical pieces may be of little or no interest to some collectors. A work does not need to be highly documented nor highly valuable to warrant its inclusion in a collection. Collection is as much or more an issue of individuality as it is an issue of refining one's purchasing skill with knowledge. Hence, the process of becoming a collector should not be permitted to intimidate anyone with the desire to learn.