Visual arts

A 30 year sponsorship deal between BP and the National Gallery will end in December, the parties say.

In a press release on Tuesday (February 22), they confirmed that BP's support of the Portrait Award will not be renewed. It said the decision was made "together", offering no insight into whether pressure to end oil company sponsorship of the arts convinced either partner that time was up.

"The BP of today is a very different company from when we first started our partnership with the National Portrait Gallery," the company's UK boss Louise Kingham said, noting a need to find "new ways to best use our talent, experience, and resources".

Lobby groups Culture Unstained and BP or not BP? claim its clear the partnership had become too controversial.

"This is clearly a vote of no confidence in BP’s business. The company spent 30 years painting a picture of itself as a responsible philanthropist but it is rapidly running out of places to clean up its toxic image," Culture Unstained Co-Director Jess Worth said.

Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, expressed gratitude for the long-running support.

"Its funding for the award has fostered creativity, encouraged portrait painting for over 30 years and given a platform to artists from around the world, as well as providing inspiration and enjoyment for audiences across the UK."

It's estimated the sponsorship enabled six million free visits and contributed to the career development of more than 1,500 portrait artists.

The last Portrait Award was in 2020. It was not staged this year or last because the gallery is closed for redevelopment.

An augmented reality project telling untold stories of Black Britons has gone live at London’s Trafalgar Square.

Visitors to the area can access the Hidden Black Stories project through social media platform Snapchat. 

The immersive history lesson tells the Black British stories behind famous statues in the square. A remote version featuring the story behind a Nelson Madela statue is also available on the app.

The launch follows research conducted by Snapchat, Black Cultural Archieves (BCA) and Research Without Borders that found only a third (32%) of Britons recognise historical Black figures.

BCA Interim Director Lisa Anderson said the opportunity to share heritage with younger audiences is exciting and powerful: “This Trafalgar square lens is a dynamic, virtual sign of recognition.”

Imperial War Museums (IWM) is preparing the UK’s first art, film and photography gallery on war and conflict.

The gallery is expected to open to the public at IWM London late 2023, with exhibitions spanning the First World War to present day.

IWM Director General Diane Lees said the chosen mediums provide "unique insight" into how artists interpret conflict. 

“They can dramatically enhance our understanding of war and conflict and also radically challenge it.”

Lees thanked the Blavatnik Family Foundation for supporting the galleries' creation.

A "unique opportunity" to create art that will be seen by millions is on offer in North East England.

Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus is commissioning artists to create large-scale works for the inside of its 46-train fleet.

Project grant funding from Arts Council England (ACE) has enabled what is believed to be a world first - a permanent commission within a new train.

"This is a great opportunity for a number of different artists to produce exciting work reflecting the heritage and diversity of the region," ACE Director North Jane Tarr commented.

Applications close February 28.

The 2022 edition of the London Art Fair has been postponed by three months.

Originally scheduled for January 19 to 23, the event will now take place April 20 to 24.

Organisers Immediate Live cited the "continued uncertainty and disruption" caused by a surge in Omicron cases as reason for the postponement.

"Whilst we could have continued with the event as planned within government guidelines, we are keen to deliver the best possible fair for our galleries, sponsors, partners and visitors," a statement reads.

Hosted at the Business Design Centre, the fair plans to showcase work from more than 100 galleries alongside a line-up of talks and workshops.

Falkirk is set to receive a “regionally significant” arts centre as part of investment zone funding.

The £80m Falkirk Growth Deal, delivered by the UK and Scottish governments, Falkirk Council and Scottish Canals, will develop eleven projects across Falkirk and Grangemouth.

£3m is earmarked for a National Outdoor Art Park.

The development is expected to create up to 2,000 jobs and £1bn worth of future investment.

"The deal will help regenerate town centres, create new cultural attractions and reskill the workforce," Scotland’s Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said.

The Royal Society of Sculptors has begun a £6.5m project to turn its historic home into "a leading centre of sculpture and 3D art".

It will reopen next summer following the first phase of works to "conserve and transform" Grade II listed Dora House.

Fundraising is under way, with a further £165,000 needed to make the building watertight and restore the facade.

President Claire Burnett called the need for repairs "critical".

"One staff member has to sit under an umbrella when it rains, the basement is out of bounds due to damp and the front and chimney are in need of a complete overhaul."

Most of the society's income comes from renting out half the building, which also provides gallery spaces that are visited by about 12,000 people each year.

The society says it will continue delivering exhibitions, residencies and education initiatives during the closure.