Our mission

Outset believes in responsive philanthropy – acting boldly and flexibly to fund ambitious projects in public art institutions around the world to be enjoyed by audiences now and for generations to come.

In line with our ethos, we provide early-stage support with a balanced approach to risk when ideas are still evolving and full of potential. We back creativity that speaks to the urgent issues of our time, locally, nationally and globally.

Outset is an independent collective of philanthropists, members of the public who are united by a shared passion for contemporary art and its impact. We come together to pool resources and provide crucial funding for the global arts ecosystem.

The Outset network is a global leader in arts philanthropy. Collectively we have raised over £16 million, supporting over a thousand artists and hundreds of projects in public art institutions around the world.

Since its founding in 2003, Outset has established numerous public-private models of arts philanthropy. The groundbreaking Outset / Frieze Art Fair Fund to benefit the Tate Collection (OFT 2003–2015) was the inaugural fund through which 100 works were purchased with funds raised by Outset from commercial galleries at Frieze London and donated to the UK’s national collection.