Contemporary Art Society: Collections Fund at Frieze London

The Contemporary Art Society and Frieze London have announced a partnership to purchase a major work for a regional museum at the 2016 edition of Frieze London. The Collections Fund at Frieze currently stands at £50,000, including a match-funded gift, which was awarded to Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art after a competitive application process open to the Contemporary Art Society’s 70 Museum Members across the UK. The work acquired through the Fund will be announced on 5 October at Frieze London.

The Contemporary Art Society’s Collections Fund was set up in 2012 and is designed to support the acquisition of significant contemporary works for Contemporary Art Society museum members across the UK, drawing together the knowledge and experience of private collectors with that of museum curators. Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art describes itself as a ‘useful museum’, or ‘Museum 3.0’, an organisation that wishes to play a civic role, operating in the public realm through a focus on education, activism and making towards community building.

'Our partnership with Frieze London this year is a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on the fantastic work of regional museums', said Caroline Douglas, Director, Contemporary Art Society. 'Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art operates in a unique cultural environment and the Fund committee was impressed by the museum’s engagement with issues that resonate with the community it serves, such as migration and exile.'

Alistair Hudson, Director, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, said: 'As the political climate continues to change, regional museums are increasingly adapting to find new ways to work with artists, develop collections and connect with their audiences... Offering access to the most significant contemporary artists working today, this wonderful research and acquisition opportunity allows us to strengthen our collection as a vital public resource.'

Jo Stella-Sawicka, Artistic Director, Frieze Fairs added: 'This work with Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art builds on Frieze’s legacy of helping museums build strong collections of contemporary art at an international level.'

The Contemporary Art Society’s Collections Fund at Frieze is one of two official acquisition funds for national museums being realized this year, which also includes the the Frieze Tate Fund, now supported by WME | IMG.

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