2009 saw the inauguration of the Outset Acquisition Fund for the Royal College of Art. The annual fund of £10,000, was spent on purchasing works from graduating students during the RCA annual degree show and on a student award, was the first of its kind for the Royal College Collection. Every year, one student selected by a committee was awarded a 12-month studio space at Studio Voltaire, one of London’s leading independent galleries. Outset has committed to the fund for three years.
During the three-year partnership 17 artworks were acquired from 12 artists from the Painting Programme in the RCA degree shows in 2009, 2010 and 2011, including works that would otherwise enviably have sold to private collections.
3 graduates from the Painting Programme benefited from a studio space for one year at Studio Voltaire, providing an amazing transition from the RCA into professional practice:
Lucy Moore (2009), Avis Underwood (2010), Jonathan Joubert (2011)
The selection committee consisted of Candida Gertler and Sam Thorne, from the Outset Contemporary Art Fund and Katy Ostro, Outset Contemporary Art fund Patron. In addition, the RCA invited an external judge to join the selection panels each year:
Achim Borchardt-Hume (2009 - Whitechapel/Tate), Katherine Stout (2010 - Tate), Polly Staple (2011 - Chisenhale)
Candida Gertler, Co-Director and Trustee of the Outset Contemporary Fund and a member of the selection committee, said:
"The Outset Contemporary Art is delighted to enable the inaugural Outset / RCA Acquisitions Fund. The collaboration will help strengthen the RCA's already considerable collection, while providing financial support for graduating students. The Fund also comprises an award that will help the winning student set up a studio after graduating."
Professor David Rayson, Head of Painting, added:
"The support from Outset Contemporary Art will enable the College to purchase an exciting selection of work. With each consecutive year the College Collection will grow from strength to strength, continuing to gain in its importance as an invaluable resource for the College, future students and external exhibitions."
Lucy Moore, Outset Studio Prize winner, 2009 said:
"The prize meant a lot to me as it was awarded for a new direction in my work. I think that confidence at that moment was a very valuable thing. It also meant of course that I had a studio for a whole year, which was really important."
List of works bought for the RCA Collection through the Outset Acquisition Fund 2009-2011:
2009:
Nathan Barlex, Split Second, 2009 (Oil, wax, resin on canvas)
Robin Footitt, Dark Eyes London, 2009 (Oil on wood)
Robin Footitt, Polytechnic, 2009 (Fabric, wood frame, gesso on board)
Caroline Walker, St Pauls Road 7am, 2009 (Oil on board)
Caroline Walker, St Pauls Road 4.15pm, 2009 (Oil on board)
Lucy Moore, Sicily, 1998/2009 (Slide Projection) - Recipient of Outset Studio Prize
2010:
Majed Aslam, One Touch is Never Enough, 2010 (Erased Photograph, acetone on inkjet)
Adam Bainbridge, Summerhouse, 2010 (Pencil on paper)
Adam Bainbridge, Border Wall, 2010 (one third of sculptural work)
Simon Mathers, From Left, 2010 (Oil & block print on polyester)
Tuesday Nesbitt, Untitled No.6, 2010 (Oil on board)
Avis Underwood, Artery, 2010 (Oil on canvas) - Recipient of Outset Studio Prize
Avis Underwood, Memory of a Knife Thrower, 2010 (Oil on canvas)
Avis Underwood, Chickenwing Camel Clutch, 2010 (Oil on canvas)
2011:
Yelena Popova, Equilibrium, Western Side, 2011 (3 x paintings, shiny balls, little stool and the Routine box (empty))
Freya Wright, Screen, 2011 (Oil on linen)
Jonathan Joubert, Drum, 2011 (Mixed media on canvas) - Recipient of Outset Studio Prize
