The International 3

PRESS RELEASE

New pilot project aims to build programme that will cultivate new and existing art collectors in the North

Independent gallery The International 3 joins forces with former Head of Collector Development for Contemporary Art Society North to foster buoyant art market in the region

The International 3 is excited to announce a new pilot project developed in partnership with freelance consultant Mark Doyle that will run from June 1^st 2015. For an initial 12month period Mark Doyle will devise and deliver a Collector Development Programme that will include region-wide artists’ studio visits, exhibition tours and a third edition of the very popular Art in the Home; a project that sees a group of home-owners giving over their domestic spaces to be turned into art galleries for one weekend each year.

In his previous role as Head of Collector Development Contemporary Art Society North, Mark identified and encouraged regionally based emerging contemporary art collectors through a membership scheme. Offering individuals the opportunity to obtain information about and first-hand experience of the North’s artistic talent, Mark’s previous work had real impact with over £350,000 of direct sales, commissions and donations and more than 150 artists and organisations being visited.

Funding for the new programme will come from the generous support of a group of individuals who rather than subscribing to a membership scheme have become Patrons of The International 3. Currently standing at over 40 individual financial pledges, this support will not only contribute to the costs of delivering the Collector Development Programme, but will also help deliver elements of The International 3’s ongoing events and exhibitions activity. Additionally, any pledges received before late June 2015 will attract match funding from Arts Council England’s Catalyst scheme. Patrons will be able to access the Collector Development Programme for free in addition to other Patron specific opportunities.

Paulette Terry Brien, The International 3’s co-director said, “When Contemporary Art Society’s funding for Mark’s post came to the end of its life-cycle in March 2015, The International 3 was keen to ensure both a legacy for and a continuation of the important work that CAS North had undertaken.“

Mark Doyle said, “Giving artists the opportunity to earn income from the work that they make through sales and giving people the opportunity to not only access but also to purchase and live with contemporary art on a daily basis is important to the health of our regional visual art ecology and its economy”.

Laurence Lane, co-director of The International 3 said, “As an organisation committed to the professional development of artists and the growth of a regional art market this new project with Mark is a natural extension of the work that The International 3 has been doing in this area such as representing artists and our ongoing curatorial role with The Manchester Contemporary – we are delighted therefore to be working with someone who shares our ambition for supporting artists and organisations across the region.”

For find out more about the Collector Development Programme and how you can become a Patron of The International 3 please click here or contact Paulette Terry Brien at ptb@international3.com or 07981 389 591 for more information.

Up until late June 2015 any private giving received by The International 3 can be matched at the ratio of £1.50 to £1 of Arts Council England Catalyst Funding.

N.B. The International 3 is a not for profit organisation, but is unable to operate under the gift aid scheme as it is not a registered charity

ENDS