Contemporary British artists are set to benefit from a new scheme
which will see their work displayed in the country’s network of
embassies and government buildings around the world.
The Government Art Collection (GAC), which is part of the
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), is
launching a five-year acquisitions project to acquire works from
exciting talent and showcase the best of British creativity –
promoting further interest in the country’s globally renowned
creative sector.
GAC will work with the Contemporary Visual Arts Network in
England, the Scottish Contemporary Art Network, and networks in
Wales and Northern Ireland to identify the next generation of
potential artistic stars.
The X-UK project initially ran as a successful pilot scheme in
2020-21 when more than 90 pieces by 45 contemporary visual
artists were acquired for the collection. These works are now on
display in government buildings around the country and
internationally in British embassies and residences including
Paris, Ankara, The Holy See in Rome, and 10 Downing Street.
The pilot revealed the impact that an acquisition by the
Government Art Collection can have on an artist’s career by
helping to bring their art to new audiences and raising their
profiles.
Glasgow-based artist Alberta Whittle went on to represent
Scotland at the 59th Biennale di Venezia in 2022 and currently
has pieces on display in the National Galleries of Scotland
following the pilot scheme’s acquisition of her work.
The acquisition of work by Manish Harijan led to his being
granted a global talent visa by the British Council, and
Ghanian-born artist Harold Offeh saw his art join a national
collection for the first time in his career.
Arts Minister of Whitley Bay
said:
This fantastic new scheme will shine a light on the UK’s
brilliant up-and-coming artists and promote our cutting-edge
creative industries on the world stage.
The five-year X-UK project aims to be a true reflection of every
part of the United Kingdom and will bring some of our most
exciting artists to audiences in more than 125 countries.
UK Government Minister for Scotland said:
As the Edinburgh summer festivals draw to a close, the
international appetite for Scottish culture and creativity has
never been more apparent. Through the UK Government’s extensive
global network of embassies and residencies, this fantastic
project will showcase the best of Scottish creative talent to the
world and help raise the global profile of our outstanding
homegrown visual artists.
Secretary of State for Wales, Sir said:
I’m delighted that the UK Government is supporting contemporary
Welsh art. Acquiring pieces by emerging artists for the
Government Art Collection immediately provides publicity and
recognition and showcases this wonderful work to the world.
Wales has a rich heritage of celebrated artists from Richard
Wilson’s 18th century landscapes to Gwen John and Sir Kyffin
Williams, and it’s great to see the new generation of Welsh
talent supported and promoted by the X-UK project.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said:
The X-UK project by the Government Art Collection is a wonderful
opportunity to showcase the very best of Northern Ireland’s
artistic talent alongside the rest of the United Kingdom in over
125 countries across the world.
I am excited to see the high calibre of artwork, which will
undoubtedly serve as a fantastic springboard for new and emerging
artists from Northern Ireland to display their talent on the
world stage.
Contemporary visual artist Manish Harijan said:
Coming from the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal, this is a
valuable opportunity that has opened doors for me into the art
world. Connecting with important art networks like CVAN Yorkshire
and Humber, who nominated me to the Government Art Collection,
has been inspiring, and following the acquisition of my work by
the Collection, the British Council granted me a Global Talent
visa.
Contemporary visual artist Harold Offeh said:
As a Cambridge-based artist having my work selected for the
Government Art Collection was a huge boost. The recognition and
validation of my practice has been extremely encouraging, and I’m
excited to be part of a national collection for the first time.
The project will also provide a focus for the Government Art
Collection’s public engagement activity with artists and young
creatives during this five-year period. This will include work in
2022-23 with Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea, the
Museum-in-Residence in 10 Downing Street, and work in Bradford
during its time as UK City of Culture in 2025-26.
Notes to Editors:
X-UK
acquisitions programme 2022-2027:
- 2022/23 - Wales, East Midlands and West Midlands
- 2023/24 - Scotland, North East
- 2024/25 - Northern Ireland, North West
- 2025/26 - Wales, Yorkshire, East
- 2026/27 - Scotland, South East, South West
