ArtReview's Philanthropic Program Sends Staff to London's Struggling Public Galleries

ArtReview magazine's philanthropic initiative 'Strive, Thrive, (I Will) Survive!' annually deploys staff members to London's publicly funded galleries for week-long secondments. The program aims to provide intellectual expertise to institutions facing financial difficulties, with the editor delivering a motivational speech before assignments. One participant visits a North London gallery described as an urban think-tank and visual culture hub, encountering a film installation by a politically aware collective. The gallery director expresses frustration about failing to showcase younger post-Internet artists like Helen Marten, James Richards, and Ed Atkins before they gained prominence through curator Massimiliano Gioni's attention at the Venice Biennale. Financial challenges include government cuts, competition from other small public museums, and reliance on fundraising through limited editions and events involving figures like Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst and Chris 'DJ' Taylor. The article references Sotheby's auctioneer Oli Barker and the Chisenhale Gallery as benchmarks, while mentioning brands like Tom Sutton, Derek Rose, Yves Saint Laurent, Ateliers Ruby, Maison Kitsuné, and Honda. Published in May 2013, the narrative blends satire with commentary on institutional struggles in London's art sector.