FAQs | AOAP Projects — Buying Original Contemporary Art

What is AOAP Projects?

AOAP Projects is an independent arts organisation producing contemporary art exhibitions, sales, auctions and editions in partnership with charities, artists and cultural institutions. We were founded in 2014 as Art on a Postcard and have raised more than £2 million for charitable causes.

Is AOAP Projects the same as Art on a Postcard?

Yes. Art on a Postcard became AOAP Projects in early 2026. The rebrand allows us to work beyond the postcard format, but our auctions, artist support and charitable fundraising continue as before.

Do you still hold auctions?

Yes. Charity auctions remain at the heart of what we do, featuring international artists and carefully chosen charitable partners. Alongside auctions, we now also produce curated sales exhibitions, subscriber-only sales and print releases.

Buying artwork

How do your sales exhibitions work?

Our sales exhibitions, such as Illuminated at RSA House, are not auctions. Every artwork has a fixed price and is sold first come, first served, online and in person.

How much does original art cost at AOAP Projects?

Prices start from £55. Most works are small in scale (works in the Illuminated exhibition are no larger than 7 x 7 inches), which keeps original art by established and emerging artists accessible.

Are the artworks original?

Yes, unless clearly stated otherwise. Sales exhibitions feature original, one-off artworks, usually signed by the artist. We also sell hand-signed prints and editions, which are always described as such.

I've never bought art before. Where should I start?

Small original works are a good entry point: they are affordable, easy to frame and easy to live with. Helping people buy their first piece of original art is one of our proudest achievements. If you'd like advice, contact us and we'll be happy to help.

How do I get early access to new collections?

Newsletter subscribers get early access to new exhibitions and sales before they open to the public. Sign up to the AOAP Projects newsletter at the bottom of any page.

Shipping, framing and returns

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. Shipping is calculated at checkout based on destination. [Confirm/adjust details]

Is shipping free?

UK print orders over £100 qualify for free shipping. Shipping for other orders is calculated at checkout.

Do you sell frames?

Yes. We sell handmade tray frames and other frames suited to small-scale works, available in the Shop.

What is your returns policy?

Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery, provided the item is in its original condition, with UK and EU customers also having a statutory right to cancel within 14 days of receiving their order. Buyers cover return postage, and approved refunds are processed to the original payment method within 14 days of the item being received back.

aoapprojects.com/pages/returns-policy

Artists and charities

How much do artists receive from sales?

It varies by project. In the Illuminated exhibition with the Royal Society of Arts, artists receive 50% of proceeds. Terms for each project are agreed with artists in advance. For charity auctions there is no artist commission. 

How does the charity fundraising work?

Every project supports a charitable cause. Recent partners include War Child and the Royal Society of Arts' social impact programme. AOAP Projects retains a share of sales income to cover administration, marketing and delivery, with the remainder going to artists and charitable partners.

I'm an artist. How can I get involved?

We work with artists at all career stages, from recent graduates to established names. Contact us with a link to your work and we'll be in touch if there's a suitable project.

I work for a charity. Can we partner with AOAP Projects?

Possibly. We're always interested in hearing from charities and cultural institutions. Get in touch via the contact page.