Philanthropy & Arts Funding

Thanks to Twitter I came across this letter (LINK HERE) and was more than happy to see the suggestion that; where we can, we should support the arts. This letter is by Stephen Deauchar from Art Fund in response to this article by Peter Bazalgette featured in The Guardian.

The one thing that they both neglect to mention is philanthropy for arts organizations big and small is all very well but another way to support the arts directly is investing in quality art. This supports the Artists/Makers directly, it supports gallery’s who are out there putting there neck on the line, finally you can stand to have a financial investment for yourself. Depending on the scale of your collecting you could later gift works, thus negating the need for Galleries and organizations to by work later (although they still need support)

I admit this is a grand plan but fully believe that if you start collecting bit by bit, educating yourself about art and building as you can you will do a great deal to support art, especially on a local level. Even if at the end there are no works in your collection a museum would want, your children might. The best part of this plan is that you can enlighten yours life and that of those around you.

Remember supporting art & culture does not have to cost millions whatever budget you are on you can be a philanthropist. So give what you can to organizations (drop £5 in donations box at the Tate or local, you can even have a cup of coffee) and buy art for yourself.

Golden rules are to educate yourself and support quality.

Nathan