‘I know a guy….’
The UK’s contemporary art scene is a system of (sometimes frustratingly) discrete points including artists, collectors, curators, publicists, investors, suppliers, shippers and, well, we could keep adding to the list, but that would be labouring the point. The challenge has never been about a lack of talent or appreciation; supply or demand, but of connecting the dots on the matrix. An entire art ecosystem depends upon healthy connections and the pathways that turn rivulets to rivers. Maintaining a line of communication that runs from as-yet undiscovered artists through to the global reach of Wimbeldon’s centre court, Frieze London and Frieze Masters are a crucial part of what makes UK art thrive. Details of the funds and initiatives on offer for 2024 follow below.
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Frieze London and Frieze Masters 2024: Strengthening the UK Arts Ecosystem with Supportive Initiatives and Acquisition Funds
Frieze is proud to present a series of initiatives and acquisition funds that continue to bolster the UK arts ecosystem, emphasising Frieze‘s role in championing and nurturing the wider cultural landscape. These institution-led programmes highlight Frieze’s commitment to supporting artists, galleries and curators through strategic acquisitions and influential awards with key UK museums and arts organisations. Frieze London and Frieze Masters takes place from 9 – 13 October and are supported by global lead partner Deutsche Bank for the 21st consecutive year, continuing a shared commitment to artistic excellence.
ACQUISITION FUNDS
Frieze Tate Fund Supported by Endeavor
For the ninth consecutive year, Endeavor will provide £150,000 to support the acquisition of works at the fairs for the Tate collection. To date, the fund has enabled the acquisition of more than 160 works by over 100 artists, significantly enriching Tate’s collection. This year’s selection committee features external selectors Nicole Yip (Director of Spike Island) and Raphael Fonseca (Curator of Modern and Contemporary Latin American Art at the Denver Art Museum and Chief Curator of the 14th Mercosur Biennial 2025), along with internal selectors Polly Staple (Director of Collection, British Art), Gregor Muir (Director of Collection, International Art), Dominique Heyse-Moore (Senior Curator, Contemporary British Art), Valentine Umansky (Curator, International Art), Amrita Dhallu (Assistant Curator, International Art), and Amy Emmerson Martin (Assistant Curator, Contemporary British Art).
Contemporary Art Society’s Collections Fund
Now in its eighth year, the fund supports museum acquisitions of artworks by British and international artists working in any medium including film, performance, photography, sculpture and installation for CAS Museum Members. This year, it will facilitate the purchase of a significant work by a living artist at Frieze London for the Hepworth Wakefield collection. Past acquisitions have included works by Grada Kilomba, Goshka Macuga and Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum for Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, Ibrahim Mahama for Norwich Castle Museum, Sunil Gupta, Hetain Patel and Billie Zangewa for The Harris, Preston, Zanele Muholi for Nottingham Castle Museum, Kehinde Wiley and Zadie Xa for The Box, Plymouth, Dineo Seshee Bopape for Towner Eastbourne and John Akomfrah and Kader Attia for MIMA, Middlesbrough.
Arts Council Collection Fund
In its second year, this fund focuses on acquiring works by early- to mid-career or overlooked UK-based artists, reflecting the country’s vibrant contemporary art scene. Supported by a group of dedicated patrons, including founding member Tala Cingillioglu, the fund aims to build on last year’s purchase of works by Anne Tallentire, Julianknxx, Mark Corfield-Moore and Tanoa Sasraku.
Spirit Now London Acquisition Prize
This year, the Spirit Now London Acquisition Prize will support the Women’s Art Collection, Cambridge, with a budget of £40,000 to acquire works by women artists under 40 exhibiting at Frieze London. Directed by Marie-Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, Spirit Now London focuses on supporting cultural institutions and art exhibitions across the globe. Since 2015, this international philanthropic community has committed to promoting women and emerging artists worldwide.
CURATOR PROGRAMMES
Art Fund Curators Programme at Frieze Masters
Launched in 2016, the Art Fund Curators Programme at Frieze Masters brings together emerging career curators from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to exchange ideas through talks, workshops, and tours. Collaborating with the Subject Specialist Network for European Paintings pre-1900 and The National Gallery, the programme offers ten fully funded places for UK regional curators, alongside five international counterparts, to attend a two-day programme exploring the subject of transhistorical exhibition making. This year’s keynote speaker will be Emerson Bowyer (Searle Curator Painting and Sculpture of Europe, The Art Institute of Chicago).
CVAN and London Gallery Weekend Curators Opportunity
In a new partnership with CVAN and London Gallery Weekend, Frieze London and Frieze Masters will host 30 contemporary art curators across England to attend the fair, with 20 spaces specifically allocated to regional curators. CVAN will also provide travel funds for these curators. This initiative aims to forge stronger connections between regional curators, London galleries and the artists they support with networking opportunities facilitated by the organisers.
PRIZES
Camden Art Centre Emerging Artist Prize at Frieze London
Now in its sixth year, this annual prize awards a UK or international artist in the Focus section at Frieze the opportunity to deliver a solo exhibition at Camden Art Centre and achieve the critical milestone of their first institutional show in London. The 2023 recipient, Jack O’Brien (Ginny on Frederick, London), will present his show, titled The Reward, at the celebrated North London institution from 4 October – 29 December 2024. Previous winners include Marina Xenofontos, Tenant of Culture, Julien Creuzet and Wong Ping. The 2024 recipient will be announced during the fair.
Fluxus – CPGA Prize
Partnering for the second year, the Comité Professionnel des Galeries d’Art (CPGA) and Fluxus Art Projects will award a French or France-based artist exhibiting at Frieze London. This prize encourages galleries to showcase French talent, supporting their presence in the international art scene. A selection panel of esteemed curators and collectors will award a £15,000 cash prize, shared equally between the artist and exhibitor.
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. – Aristotle
