In 2003, Outset established the world's first acquisitions fund connected to an art fair. This ongoing collaboration with Tate and Frieze proved to be a cornerstone in the foundation's programme of institutional acquisitions.

Each year, two prominent international curators are invited to work alongside Tate curators to select exceptional works by new and emerging artists for the Tate Collection. The Frieze Art Fund is significant in ensuring that such key works by contemporary artists are brought to the fair and can be acquired for national viewing. Alongside the fund, Outset's production efforts enable it to acquire new works for Tate.

With Tate's annual government funding for its acquisitions frozen since 1982, and now worth a twentieth of its original value, Outset helps provide an essential injection of new blood into Tate's holdings.

Since 2003, supporters of the annual Outset Frieze fund to benefit the Tate have donated more than £900,000, enabling 78 works to be acquired by 50 international artists. A significant number of these works are currently on display at Tate Modern.

The selection panel for 2009 consisted of Sir Nicholas Serota, Director, Tate; Tate Curators Frances Morris, Jessica Morgan and Ann Gallagher; Hou Hanru, Curator, San Francisco Art Institute and Joanna Mytkowska, Curator, Warsaw Museum of Modern Art.

The Fund is organized and financed by Outset Contemporary Art Fund and enjoys sponsorship from Le Méridien hotel group.

www.friezeartfair.com
www.tate.org.uk