With the Jet Set at Outset
Outset celebrated its fifth anniversary at the South London Gallery tonight, an amazing venue currently with a wonderful exhibition by the Swiss artist John Armleder. Set up by Candida Gertler and Yana Peel, it’s an example of the new philanthropy. They raise huge sums, and with it buy the contemporary art that many of our national museums cannot afford, and then give it to them. Philanthropy is going to be the big debate in the arts in the next 12 months - how can we encourage the new wealth to donate to our public institutions, can we create an American philanthropic culture in this country? As I have said before, I think Gordon Brown will look at this, but the devil will be in the detail of any scheme he proposes.