WOW!  -- what an approach -- i hope it stays on the other side  of the atlantic.i

>>> MSN <[log in to unmask]> 1 Mar1998  4:58 >>>
Sight for work sore eyes (new 'hire-out' scheme for major art works)

Making the office a nicer place Giving the office a facelift has
taken on a different meaning with a new 'hire-out' scheme for major
art works. The Culture Secretary, Chris Smith, has asked museum
directors to rent major works of public art to businesses to help
raise money for museums and art galleries. The pieces would be put
out to rent to businesses on a short-term basis. The money would go
back into the kitty of the art house involved. "Provided it was done
on a short-term basis, you have money coming into museums and
galleries that could then be used for better facilities, " said Mr
Smith. The public would not suffer under the scheme. Mr Smith
proposes that galleries and museums make use of pieces which are
gathering dust in backrooms. The Director of the National Portrait
Gallery said he liked the plan. Charles Saumarez Smith said he
supported Mr Smith's attempts to consider "imaginative ways to to
raise money with a view to ensuring that we don't have to charge
admission." Only selected businesses will qualify as suitable
showplaces. Merchant banks, law firms, fashion houses and
pharmaceutical companies are currently on the customer list.
However, the art world was not uniformly impressed. An unenthused
spokesman from the Science Museum said: "It would be lamentable if we
lost treasures through carelessness."

(BBC News)






















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