This support helps the V&A continue to develop one of the largest and most important photography collections in the world. Our collection is freely available to everyone, both online and across our family of museums, sparking the imagination with outstanding examples of creativity and providing researchers and photographers with a sourcebook for knowledge and inspiration.
Since 2011, the group has enabled over 100 bodies of work (totalling more than 1400 prints) to be acquired for the enjoyment of the public. These works are put on display in our Photography Centre at V&A South Kensington, included in temporary and travelling exhibitions, feature in publications and are used for educational projects and new research.
Each member of the Photographs Acquisition Group donates at least £12,500 per year which forms a vital fund for the acquisition of contemporary photography. The group meets twice a year to discuss which works will be acquired with the fund, and to learn about our collecting strategy and curatorial programming. Members of the group enjoy a close association with our photography section and the wider museum, joining V&A curators at various opportunities which demonstrate the impact of their support, such as behind-the-scenes events, photographers' studio and private collection visits, as well as photo fairs in the UK and abroad.
The V&A also relies on the support of other philanthropic groups including the Prints and Drawings Acquisition Group, which enables the museum to acquire contemporary works on paper, and the Global Africa Acquisition Group, which supports the acquisition of contemporary artworks from Africa and the diaspora.
For more information about these acquisition groups, or to donate and join the Photographs Acquisition Group, please contact:
Olivia Fry
Philanthropy Manager
o.fry@vam.ac.uk
+44 (0) 20 3949 4512
Prints purchased with the Photographs Acquisition Group's support
Donors
We are immensely grateful to the current members of the Photographs Acquisition Group for their support:
Orsi Bakos | Banque Pictet & Cie SA in relation to Prix Pictet | Caroline and Ian Banwell | Rafaël Biosse Duplan (Co-Chair) | Jim Grover and Ruth Grover | Loren Kaye | Constantin Kirwan-Taylor | Dominique Levy (Co-Chair) | Andrew McLeod | Luis Oganes | The Rob and Lydia Petty Family Foundation | Susan Rogers Moehlmann | The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation and Dr Anne Varick Lauder | Debra and Ben Rapp | Andy Simpkin | Mrs Lara Veroner Gubitosi and Mr Marco Gubitosi | Cathy Wills Charitable Trust | Michael G. and C. Jane Wilson.
And others who wish to remain anonymous.