Welcome to Outset

Outset is an independent and collectively funded global philanthropic network.

We are there from the very outset, raising money from members of the public to support ambitious, risk-taking contemporary art projects at their earliest stages and to help realise bold ideas in international public institutions. Our reason for being is to grow public audiences for contemporary art.

Since its founding in the UK in 2003, Outset has pioneered an innovative model of public-private partnership informed by institutional ambition. From grassroots initiatives to the global stage, we fund public institutions through grants, allowing artists and curators to realise contemporary art projects that interrogate the issues of the day.

Outset is a responsive partner and is driven by the needs of the organisations we fund. Our funding is always curator- and institution-led, ensuring that support is guided by expertise and embedded knowledge.

We believe in the use and value of our work in supporting creative freedom and champion open dialogue between artists, curators, institutions, and their funders.

Mission

Total funds distributed to date by Outset network since 2003.

global impact

PORTRAIT OF MALALA YOUSAFZAI FOR THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

The National Portrait Gallery commissioned a new portrait of Malala Yousafzai, the girls’ education activist by Iranian-born artist and filmmaker, Shirin Neshat, supported by Scott Collins and Lotta Ashdown, ...

"Outset has brought new energy and imagination to contemporary art by supporting artists that explore new ideas and institutions that seek new paths… The Outset Frieze Tate Fund has brought many important works by emerging artists into the national collection, making it possible for Tate to share some of the exciting developments in contemporary art with a broad public."

Sir Nicholas Serota, former Director, Tate

"With an unerring eye for the great work of art that has yet to be born, Outset combines enlightened patronage with lightness of touch to help artist – and curators – realise their dreams. It is their support that makes London a cultural crucible."

Iwona Blazwick, Director, Whitechapel Gallery

Two concentric pink circles outlined on a white background.

Green Papaya Art Projects, 'The Shri Vishayas Project'

The Outset Partners Grants Programme 2021 awarded an Impact Award to Green Papaya Art Projects. Their Shri Vishayas Project -Intersections of Indigenous, Rural and Contemporary Cultures- sought ...

Open House Closing. A Walk

Outset Estonia proudly supported Anu Vahtra's newly commissioned performance for the Estonian Pavilion Without Walls for Performa 17. Vahtra's project 'Open House Closing. A Walk' was based on ...

Seeing the Invisible

Seeing the Invisible was an international exhibition of contemporary art presented at the National Garden of Athens between October 2022 and September 2023, organised by Outset Greece …

Neither Day Nor Night

Alona Rodeh's Neither Day Nor Night was specially constructed for the space it was located in, the -1 level of the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion for Contemporary Art at ...

RADIUS

Outset is incredibly proud and excited to support the realisation of RADIUS - a new center for contemporary art and ecology in the city of Delft, The Netherlands.Arriving at a ...