Visual arts

Britain’s art galleries are a prime target for criminals, according to research by specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical.

According to a poll of 100 galleries, more than four in five (84%) experienced a crime in the last 12 months, with verbal abuse (26%), anti-social behaviour (24%), criminal damage (23%) and theft (23%) the most frequent crimes reported.

The results suggest crime in galleries has increased since Ecclesiastical’s last study in 2021, when 81% of galleries reported crimes.

Four in five galleries (82%) said they are more concerned about crime since the cost-of-living crisis, with almost three quarters (72%) expecting a further increase in crime over the next year.

Galleries reported being proactive about crime prevention. Nearly all (97%) have introduced new measures to protect the organisation and deter criminals during the past 12 months, including CCTV, alarms, security guards and patrols, and additional cyber security.
 
Despite investing in security, 77% of gallery workers said their organisations need to do more to prevent crime.

“There are a number of measures galleries can take to better secure property and assets, which would ideally be a combination of both physical and electronic protection,” said Faith Kitchen, Customer Segment Director at Ecclesiastical.

“Reviewing perimeter security arrangements, ensuring entry points are well lit and secured can often offer a good first line of defence against unwanted visitors, while CCTV can act as a visual deterrent for those not wanting to be caught on camera.”

Organisers of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival have launched a major feedback exercise as part of attempts to address issues with the annual event.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is seeking input from artists, audiences, venues, producers, workers, community groups, arts industry delegates, media and those with access needs in order to make improvements for 2023.

Over the next two weeks the festival will be inviting views on a range of topics, from the recent Fringe experience to accommodation costs, barriers to participation, and the work of the Fringe Society. 

Responses to the collection of surveys will provide data the festival says will help it bring together the right people and partnerships to work towards solutions. 

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “This year’s festival was the first step on the road to recovery and we know the biggest challenge is the next three years. 

"It’s important that we gather evidence and case studies from our Fringe participants so that we can ensure the Society is armed with the facts and best equipped to make the case for where improvements can be made in advance of Fringe 2023. 

"We encourage everyone to take time to complete the survey specific to them and to provide as much information as they can.”

The Royal Academy of Arts is introducing half-priced exhibition tickets for all visitors aged 25 and under.

The institution says the move is a bid to help make the RA’s exhibitions more accessible. It will run alongside the existing offer of free exhibition entry for under 16s.

An existing discounted membership scheme for young people is being extended to include all under 35s. The RA’s Young Friends Membership, which starts from £65 a year, offers unlimited access to exhibitions.

RA Secretary and Chief Executive Axel Rüger said he is “delighted to be able to offer new ways into the RA especially designed for a younger audience”. 

“With an exceptional autumn exhibition programme and longer opening hours, we look forward to welcoming new visitors.”

Dreweatts has announced a charity auction this November to raise funds for the Queen’s Mother’s Clothing Guild, a royal charity.

One of the most anticipated lots is Pearly Queen of St. James’s Palace, a large-scale portrait of Queen Elizabeth II as she appeared on the first-class postage stamp.

The work, by contemporary artist Ann Carrington, features thousands of pearl buttons hand-sewn onto a black canvas and is expected to sell for between £10,000 and £25,000.

Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy, the guild’s patron since 2003, said the proceeds of the auction “will contribute significantly to the vital work of the charity to provide more new clothing and bedding to those in need across the UK”.

Carrington created the work for the 140th anniversary of the guild. “Each button represents the volunteer sewers and knitters whose hand-made contributions since 1882 have enabled the charity to grow and flourish,” she said.

The work is part of a series of 23 portraits of the Queen created by Carrington, the only fine artist who holds a license from Royal Mail to produce artworks in postage-stamp form.

One of the 23 works was commissioned by the Queen herself, who requested that it be executed in red and gold.

The Government Art Collection (GAC) is launching a five-year project to acquire works by contemporary British visual artists for display at UK government outposts around the world.

The DCMS project, called X-UK, will result in works being on show in more than 125 countries in embassies and other government buildings. It aims to showcase “the best of British creativity” and promote interest in the creative sector.

GAC will collaborate with the Contemporary Visual Arts Network in England, the Scottish Contemporary Art Network and networks in Wales and Northern Ireland to select emerging artists.

During a pilot scheme during 2020-2021, GAC made an initial selection of over 90 pieces by 45 artists, which are currently on display in government buildings in the UK and overseas.

Artists whose work was acquired during the pilot have since achieved new career highlights. 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.  

Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said that X-UK “aims to be a true reflection of every part of the United Kingdom”. 

Shailesh Vara, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said the project “will undoubtedly serve as a fantastic springboard for new and emerging artists from Northern Ireland to display their talent on the world stage”.