Great Works, supported by the Sfumato Foundation, aims to address the absence in regional museums and galleries across the UK of works by British artists who have established international reputations over the last 20 years.
Thanks to the generosity of the Sfumato Foundation, the CAS’s Great Works scheme purchases a major work by a leading British artist for a regional museum or gallery. Our Museum Members are eligible to apply for the award, the majority of which are outside London.
The first recipient of the Great Works scheme was the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle. Internationally acclaimed artist Glenn Brown produced a major new work, specifically for the museum, entitled In the end we all succumb to the pull of the molten core (2016).
In March 2018, the second Great Work was unveiled at Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. Cerith Wyn Evans’ Radiant fold (…the Illuminating Gas), 2017/18 is four elliptical forms drawn in fine white neon, which was on show in the museum’s Colwinston Gallery.
In 2018/19 Sir Steve McQueen's Running Thunder (2007), was presented to Wolverhampton Art Gallery through Great Works. The moving image piece depicts a black horse lying in a field, framed by gently swaying grass. Through subtle signs, the viewer eventually realises that the horse is dead rather than sleeping.
Mona Hatoum's Electrified (variable III) (2021), the largest of works in its’ series, extending over 6ft, and includes two chairs, a colander and a light bulb, among other objects, was purchased by the Contemporary Art Society’s Great Works scheme in 2021 for The Hepworth, Wakefield.
Deadline for applications: 3 May 2024 at 10:00am
Download the 2024 Great Works Call Out
Download the 2024 Great Works application form
For more information
Please set up an appointment with a Curatorial member of staff
Christine Takengny, The Roden Senior Curator
christine@contemporaryartsociety.org
+44 (0)20 7017 8404
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