National Gallery, London

Since 2005 Outset has sponsored an artist’s residency as part of the National Gallery’s Associate Artists project

The Associate Artist scheme is designed to enable leading artists to produce work within the environment of and in response to the National Gallery Collection. The appointment is by invitation and is for a period of two years. The artist is given a studio in which to make new work, demonstrating the continued inspiration that the Old Master tradition provides for today’s artists.

Outset’s period of sponsorship has included both John Virtue and current Associate Artist Alison Watt. The position has previously been held by such leading contemporary artists as Paula Rego, Peter Blake, and Ron Mueck.

In 2007, for the anniversary of the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, the National Gallery will be holding the ‘Scratch the Surface’ exhibition. Facilitated by Outset, the show will feature two works from the National Gallery’s permanent collection and an installation by 2004 Turner Prize shortlisted artist Yinka Shonibare MBE, created especially for the event.

www.nationalgallery.org