Part of the firm's global corporate responsibility work, the Clyde & Co Art Award was created to help art students transition from art school to professional artist. Participants are invited to exhibit their work in Clyde & Co's offices and receive financial and pro bono legal support and professional mentoring. The programme has been rolled out to Clyde & Co offices across the globe.
As the Art Award approaches its tenth year in the UK, the firm has announced that it will be taking the initiative in a new direction in London through its partnership with Perspective Project, a charity that provides a therapeutic, creative outlet for people whose lives have been affected by mental health issues. The art, which is submitted by a range of artists who have experienced mental health issues, will be displayed in the firm's headquarters in the St Botolph Building and be promoted through the firm's intranet and other digital channels. The artists will have access to pro bono advice and professional mentoring from the firm.
Peter Hirst, Clyde & Co's Senior Partner, says: "For many years the Clyde & Co Art Award has encouraged emerging talent in the visual arts by easing the transition from art school to the commercial art world. We are excited to partner with Perspective Project as we embark on a new chapter with the Art Award with a clear focus on mental health. We hope that the partnership and the art itself will inspire conversations about and increase understanding of this most crucial of issues in the workplace."
Andy Dent, Global Head of Corporate Responsibility and Inclusion, says: "We look forward to working with Perspective Project, who do such important work in providing a therapeutic outlet to those affected by mental health conditions and highlighting different perspectives on mental health. I would like to thank our former partner Paul Newdick and newplatform.art for their support over the last ten years, not only to Clyde & Co but to the many artists and art schools who have benefited from the programme."
Since the Art Award started in 2011, Clyde & Co has worked with newplatform.art and over 500 artists who have received financial and pro bono legal support and professional mentoring while their work has been displayed across six of the firm's offices and been made available through an online auction, will all the proceeds going to the artist.