Saatchi gift shows art of active philanthropy

Saatchi gift shows art of active philanthropy

News

Art collector Charles Saatchi’s recent gift to the nation, estimated at a value of £25m, is an act that illustrates many of the ideals of ‘active philanthropy’. The ad man turned art collector has pledged 200 works of art and his eponymous Chelsea gallery to Britain on his, as yet unannounced, retirement. But more importantly, Saatchi’s gift of the gallery as a ‘going concern’ provides the means to continue his work and passion in supporting new artistic talent and the creation of contemporary works of art.

Rebecca Wilson, associate director of the Saatchi Gallery, referred to it as ‘a living museum’, in a report in The Independent and said the management and staff of the gallery would become part of the gift. Revenues from the gallery – the sale of artworks, profits from its shop, restaurant and café – will also be ploughed back into acquiring new works of contemporary art.

Saatchi is not expected to continue curating the collection after his retirement, which has implications for the future nature of the collection. But the gift is primarily designed to ensure the continued existence of a breeding ground for contemporary art; it is about perpetuating Saatchi’s enthusiasms and passions  rather than creating a memorial to the donor.

The 200 artworks include  notable examples from renowned YBAs (Young British Artists) such as  Tracey Emin’s ‘My Bed’; Richard Wilson's ‘Oil Room’ installation and Jitish Kallat's Public Notice 2, in which he spells out a speech by Gandhi using bones.

This permanent collection will be displayed in its entirety in 2012 and be free to the public, after which it can be lent to other galleries across Britain and the world.

With this gift Saatchi may also initiate a reverse movement in philanthropy – he has ‘un-named’ the Saatchi Gallery, requesting it be known as the Museum of Contemporary Art (Moca). Is it a masterpiece in self-effacement?; a monument to the hush that surrounds giving?; or is it just Saatchi’s way of making a genuine gift to the nation?

The characteristically reticent Saatchi was unavailable for comment, but speaking for him, Rebecca Wilson said in The Independent report that Saatchi was adamant the name should be changed. "He feels after he has left the building, it makes sense for London to have a big museum of contemporary art and that it should be called just that, so that people begin to think of this place as that. He has been very clear about that. He doesn't want his name attached to it when he retires," she said.

The timing of the gift is politically opportune given the new government’s recent advances towards philanthropists as a central part of its arts policy. Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt responded by saying, "Charles Saatchi has built up a collection of huge international importance. His decision to gift these works to the nation is an act of incredible generosity and I'd like to thank him on behalf of the government,” adding an important footnote on the role of philanthropy in the lean times ahead, “Philanthropy is central to our vision of a thriving cultural sector and this is an outstanding example of how Britain can benefit from individual acts of social responsibility," he said.

Colin Tweedy, chief executive of Arts & Business, which works to encourage partnerships between commerce and culture, is equally effusive about Saatchi’s gift and the role private money will play in the future of arts funding. He says, “We welcome Charles Saatchi’s gift. This is significant news for those worried about the precarious nature of arts funding.

“We must never forget that the private sector has always been around to anticipate, encourage and support the arts. Arts & Business works across the whole of the cultural sector and knows how hard it is to reach our gold standard of a secure public and private funding mix. The public purse may be empty but we must all remember there is still private money. It is up to the whole of the cultural community to entice those who can give to see the value of culture, by celebrating, innovating and facilitating all forms of giving.”

.