Learn to walk in Charles Saatchi's footsteps

Collecting contemporary art needn’t be daunting. Even if you’re just starting out, there are plenty of art fairs that offer a bespoke service designed for the budding collector. But if it’s insider tips from leading collectors and dealers you’re after then a course offered by one of London’s major public art galleries might be just what you’ve been waiting for.

The tailor-made, five-week course begins with Whitechapel Gallery director Iwona Blazwick giving a guide to contemporary visual art from Warhol to Whiteread. And further sessions will include How to Collect, Meet the Maker and Where to Buy. You’ll get a tour of the works from the D. Daskalopoulos Collection, one of Europe’s foremost private collections of contemporary art; you’ll explore the East End art scene, where you’ll visit artists’ studios, meet the artists and their dealers, and learn about techniques and different media; you’ll get the chance to learn what shapes and drives a collection during a round-table discussion at a collector’s home; and you’ll go behind the scenes during preparations at an auction for contemporary art.

The course ends with a visit to this year's Frieze Art Fair, which, as one of London's major art calendar events, plays host to 170 galleries worldwide. Not being Charles Saatchi, you may not be able to afford Frieze gallery prices, but you’ll certainly be more clued up about what might suit your walls - and your pocket.

Collecting Contemporary Art at Whitechapel Gallery starts 28 September