Member Article

Business "in the frame" for collectors network

A North East business membership organisation has been drumming up support for a new corporate art collecting venture in the region. The Business Collectors Network has been developed by Adam Lopardo, Director of The Sponsors Club for Arts & Business, in partnership with Arts Council England North East, in a bid to increase the number of Corporate Art Collections in the region.

Adam said: “When we met with businesses to discuss our model the reception was hugely positive and I expected a few to sign-up in the weeks following the launch. I didn’t expect that we’d announce the first three members at the launch and leave the event with two others signed up and four others agreeing in principle to join - It just goes to show how supportive of the arts businesses in the region are.”

Among the first to sign up were Xsite Architects, Ward Hadaway and Ryders. By the end of the event Express Group and Newcastle Gateshead Initiative had also been added to the membership.

Alison Clark-Jenkins, Director, Arts and Development, Arts Council North East, said: “There was a real sense of excitement from both businesses and artists at the collectors club launch, and we’re pleased that this is rapidly translating into business signing up to the network.”

The Business Collectors Network is a three-year scheme for businesses to come together and benefit from learning about collecting contemporary art by artists living and working in the North East. The scheme asks businesses to invest £1,500 a year for three years. Artworks are bought and installed into the businesses’ offices, rotated every six months and brought together annually in a public exhibition. At the end of the three years the collection will either be gifted to one of the region’s galleries or held as an asset by The Community Foundation serving Tyne and Wear as an investment for future good works.

If you are interested in finding out more you can contact Adam Lopardo on 0191 222 0945 or e-mail on al@communityfoundation.org.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .