Firstsite Collectors’ Group

The Firstsite Collectors’ Group raises vital funds for Firstsite, sponsoring exhibitions and other artistic events to enhance the Firstsite programme and enable the gallery to continue to bring world-class exhibitions to East Anglia.

United by their passion for visual art, though not necessarily collectors themselves, this friendly and varied group recognise the benefits art brings to the wider community such as improving creative education, health and well-being, and are keen to support creativity and talent within the region.

Every November, members of the Collectors’ Group have the chance to join the selection committee which chooses award-winners for the annual Collectors’ Group Artist Bursaries. The awards support artists in Essex and Suffolk with their professional career development, complementing Firstsite’s support of practising artists in the region. This is a fascinating morning, providing members with the opportunity to see and discuss various artists’ work.

Members are also offered opportunities to participate in a specially tailored programme of visits to artists’ studios, private and corporate collections, Firstsite’s own exhibitions and other cultural attractions.

Past visits have included trips to Henry Moore’s studio in Perry Green, Director and Curator led tours of Sainsbury Centre and Barbican Art Gallery exhibitions, guided tours of contemporary art auctions at Christies and Sotheby’s London, a visit to Phyllida Barlow’s London studio, escorted trips to the Royal Academy Schools and Sir Alfred Munnings’ house, among many others.