Clyde & Co LLP Art Award 2017
The Clyde & Co LLP Art Award encourages emerging talent in the visual arts by introducing final year art undergraduates to the corporate sector and showcasing their work. The project aims to ease the transition from art school to the commercial art world – a stepping stone to a professional career.
The seventh year of this major Arts and Education Awards initiative included final year undergraduates from City & Guilds of London Art School, Central St Martins, Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges of Art.
An eclectic mix of work selected from degree shows is displayed in the offices for one year. Every student receives a cash prize and business mentoring by staff volunteers. Another key element of the Art Award is the free legal advice provided by Clyde & Co lawyers. It may take the form of reviewing the terms of gallery contracts, art agency agreements, intellectual property such as copyright and use of images, property legal advice regarding studio tenancies and visa applications for international artists. Last year, Clyde & Co’s lawyers provided 100 hours of pro bono legal advice, worth around £300,000.
Feedback from the art students and the art schools is extremely positive. Students gain confidence in their work, business awareness, career focus and an understanding of corporates as prospective purchasers.
As a further part of the Award, Clyde & Co facilitates the sale of the art works through a silent auction. The artists receive the full value of successful bids, and Clyde & Co covers all transport costs. Any unsold work is returned to the artists.
Since the launch of the Art Award at the London office in 2010, this project has been replicated in other Clyde & Co offices including Dubai, Singapore, Sydney, Perth, and San Francisco. Each of these offices support and display the works of art students from their local art schools.