Tate takes top award as support in art soars

Feb 19 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

PRIVATE investment in the region’s arts has increased by almost 50% in the last year, according to new figures.

Companies’ investment in the galleries of the NW stood at £28m in 2007 – a 46% rise on 2006.

The figures from the survey by networking charity Arts & Busi-ness were announced as Tate Liverpool was awarded a major prize recognising it as one of the area’s world-class cultural organisations.

The gallery has won the 2008 Lever Prize, awarded by the North West's leading businesses in an aim to bring business and culture closer together, reviving philanthropic support for the arts. The £10,000 cash award, given by the North West Business Leadership Team – made up of the leaders of 28 of the region's largest businesses including United Utilities, DLA Piper and DWF – and supplemented by Arts & Business North West, is not only a monetary gift but gives the opportunity for the winner to work with those companies during the year.

The Lever Prize has been running for three years after the idea was mooted by a team including Loyd Grossman.

Inspired by William H Lever – later Lord Leverhulme – the soap magnate famed for his grand-scale patronage of cultural organisations, including the Lady Lever Art Gallery, in Port Sunlight, previous winners have included the Liverpool Biennial in 2006 and Manchester International Festival last year.

“£28m is a hugely significant contribution, the commitment of those private funders is fantastic and deserves both public recognition and gratitude,” said Ian Sanders, of regional director of Arts & Business North West. “It demonstrates the generosity of individuals and companies in the region. Despite this success, and financial instability in global markets, we need to continue to inspire and drive the private sec-tor to invest in culture and build on this growth in Liverpool.”

With over 600,000 visitors a year, Tate Liverpool is the UK’s most visited modern and contemporary art gallery outside London.

THE International Slavery Museum, at the Albert Dock, has been long-listed for the £100,000 Art Fund Prize for museums and galleries.

vickyanderson