What does Outset Partners support unlock?

Outset Partners receive: nominating and advocating for projects in public art institutions, full equity in the decision-making process, access to the Research Lead with deep art sector expertise, detailed briefing notes and analysis of applications, ability to drive the direction of Outset's philanthropy, support from the Outset UK team with connections to international network, research programme of virtual/hybrid salons and expert-led trips, opportunity to host international artists and curators, and access to VIP passes to international art fairs.

Who are Outset Partners?

Outset Partners are individual members of the public with marked international profiles from 12 countries. They are experts and entrepreneurs in fields including philanthropy, education, government, the art market, fashion, finance, museums, and architecture. They are passionate about supporting art internationally and the longevity of the arts ecosystem, curious about key questions as art projects evolve, good listeners willing to engage in robust debate, and believers in responsive, institution- and curator-led philanthropy.

Outset | Outset UK Patron

Become an Outset partner

Outset Partners make an annual donation of £25,000. This community of donors decides how to allocate the Fund in support of outstanding projects guided by an independent Research Lead.

“You will never get this level of insight from anywhere else - it’s the actual voice of institutions, what they want now, next year... It is a privilege to have access to this knowledge.”

Outset Partners:

Individual members of the public with a marked international profile (originating from 12 countries since Cycle I in 2018).
Experts and entrepreneurs in their respective fields of philanthropy, education, government, the art market, fashion, finance, museums, architecture, amongst other activities.
Passionate about supporting art internationally as well as the longevity and resilience of the arts ecosystem.
Curious about the key questions and debates as art projects evolve and come to fruition.
Good listeners willing to engage in robust debate.
Believers in the importance of responsive, institution- and curator-led philanthropy.

What does support unlock?

Nominating and advocating for projects in public art institutions.
Full equity in the decision-making process.
Access to the Outset Partners Research Lead, an independent professional with deep art sector expertise.
Detailed briefing notes and analysis of applications to the Outset Partners Fund.
Driving the direction of Outset’s philanthropy.
The support of the Outset UK team who make connections to Outset’s extensive international network of international public art institutions, artists and curators.
A research programme of virtual/hybrid salons and expert-led trips.
Opportunity to host international artists and curators.
Access to VIP passes to international art fairs.

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To find out more partners@outset.org.uk

“The Outset Partners Transformative Award will allow us to create an energised way of connecting contemporary artists and art institutions across the continent with its various diasporas through meaningful exhibition making metabolised through intellectual rigour and in-depth research.”

Azu Nwagbogu, Director, African Artists Foundation

“Outset’s support offers a vital opportunity to address something often overlooked by traditional funding structures: the sustainable long-term transformation of an institution’s foundation. Amid this lack, having Outset by our side provides the flexibility we urgently need, particularly as the Albertinum strives to be a responsive institution driven by dynamic curatorial thinking.”

Hilke Wagner, Director, Albertinum

“We are overwhelmed to have been awarded this extraordinarily generous award by Outset. We are currently working with nearly 300 children and young people every week, and this additional support will enable us to train more committed facilitators in The Beattie Method and so extend our reach to more students who need our support in many more schools. Just like our work, the grant will make a huge difference and transform many lives for the better.”

Julie Beattie OBE and Maggie Scott, Directors, AT The Bus

“The [award] allowed Oliver and Forma to realise the UK production and complete a very busy period of printing in the photography darkroom. It also ensured we could work with a variety of partners including many charities and small businesses which don’t have access to regular funding. But beyond the financial impact, Outset’s support will open Forma to a network of national and international institutions and art enthusiasts, bringing further attention to Oliver’s work and hopefully creating further opportunities to collaborate, tour the exhibition and generate further institutional acquisitions.”

Chris Rawcliffe, Director, Forma

“We are honoured to be one of the recipients of this year’s Outset Impact Awards, and to be part of a network of grantees with inspiring projects from around the globe. We believe that the arts can have a social impact, and this award amplifies the work we, alongside other great local initiatives in Athens, are trying to do.”

Maria-Thalia Carras, Founder, Locus Athens

“Several sections of the archive, as well as outlets for reaching diverse audiences, such as our Radical Broadcast program, have been in place and much heralded for some time, but the larger scope of Performa’s vision for its ‘living archive’ has been on hold. With Outset’s support, we will be able to move forward with the archive and set new levels for communicating the critical social, intellectual and deeply humanist belief systems articulated by the many remarkable artists with whom we work.”

RoseLee Goldberg, Director, Performa

“Receiving the Outset Partners Transformative Award allows the Stellenbosch Triennale to continue showcasing the best contemporary art from Africa, by some of the most exciting established and emerging artists, in a non-commercial space at the southern tip of the continent.”

Andi Norton, Director, Stellenbosch Triennale

“We will use the Transformative Award to experiment with ways to repurpose the museum as a new social power plant to collectively generate ways of navigating the huge economic and political transition ahead.”

Alistair Hudson, Director, The Whitworth & Charles Esche, Director, Van Abbemuseum

“The need for outstanding creative education is particularly acute in the industrial areas of the Midlands and the North of England, where Outset’s support during 2019/20 will enable us to work with young people from 15 schools, and achieve wider impact through teacher training and object loans.”

Dr Tristram Hunt, Director, V&A

Become an Outset Family member

Outset Family members contribute an annual donation of £5,000. The funds raised support three to four educational projects a year within Greater London.

Designed for families who:

Wish to introduce their children to a wide range of cultural experience in London.
Feel passionately that art and culture should be accessible to all London’s children and young people.
Are committed to strengthening long-term vitality, resilience, and support of UK public art institutions.

What does support unlock:

An annual calendar of bespoke events designed exclusively for Outset Family members.
Invitations to private views, behind-the-scenes visits, and expert-led experiences at leading institutions.
Access to the leaders and decision-makers in London’s art educational ecosystem.
Exposure and meaningful opportunities for older children to explore potential career pathways in the arts.

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To find out more info@outset.org.uk

Co-design a bespoke commission

Since its inception in 2003 Outset UK has developed public private partnerships to support the arts ecosystem. Individual donors collaborate with Outset UK to develop initiatives that align their passion and interests with the needs of international public art institutions.

Bespoke commissions produce important works of art, grow public art collections, shape institutional direction, and engage broad, diverse audiences.

“It is a sincere privilege to partner with Outset to commission this series of important works for the National Portrait Gallery. I am thrilled in particular this year to help bring together Andreas Gursky, a master of contemporary photography, with Sir Jonathan Ive., a master of contemporary design. What a special combination it is.”

Scott Collins

“For the fourth iteration of the Robson Orr TenTen Award, we are delighted to support the production of Old Boat, New Weather, a new commissioned screenprint edition by Lubaina Himid. After such an extraordinary year it feels fitting to have this powerful work about histories, refuge and home as the 2021 print. Over this ten-year project, an artist is selected annually by the Government Art Collection and its Advisory Committee and commissioned to create a new print edition that joins the Collection. Celebrating art by leading British artists, TenTen ensures that their work is represented and enjoyed by visitors and staff in British government buildings and embassies around the world. We extend our thanks to Outset who introduced us to the Government Art Collection and are a key part of this impactful journey. TenTen contributes towards the continuing development of the Government Art Collection, that plays such a vital role promoting British art and culture globally.”

Sybil Robson Orr and Matthew Orr

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