Building on its successful inaugural year, Travers Smith has launched the second phase of its innovative CSR Art Programme. Aimed at nurturing emerging artistic talent from our local communities, this year's programme has expanded significantly to enable the firm to support a larger and more diverse group of students.
Along with pieces from undergraduates from the University of Westminster, the 2016/17 CSR Art Programme now also contains work by postgraduate students from the world's number one ranked university of Art and Design, the Royal College of Art (RCA).
A selection of artworks, including photography, sculptures and paintings, from 13 final-year students at the University of Westminster and 12 postgraduate students at the Royal College of Art will go on display across meeting rooms, client dining spaces and other communal areas of the Travers Smith office in London
In addition, the Art Programme has a new dedicated space showcasing artwork which reflects two significant elements of Travers Smith's wider CSR work: supporting refugees and asylum seekers and promoting greater LGBT inclusion.
Recognising that the transition from student life to professional practice can often be a particular challenge for graduates, Travers Smith will also offer participating students a range of professional support, including workshops on business skills and pro bono legal advice relevant to being a professional artist. As well as having their artwork exhibited, all works will also be entered into a silent auction, with all the proceeds going directly back to the students.
CSR Partner Daniel Gerring said: "The Travers Smith Art Programme, and our relationship with the University of Westminster and the Royal College of Art, is an important part of our CSR objective to engage, support and nurture our local communities. We are extremely proud of the achievements of the first year of the programme and are excited to launch the next phase."
Professor Kerstin Mey, pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean, Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design at the University of Westminster said: "Students and staff of WSMAD, who have taken part in this year’s scheme, have immensely enjoyed engaging with the Travers Smith team and everyone is excited about the upcoming exhibition of the selected work. The graduates also very much appreciate the opportunity to sell their work through a silent auction. The Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design feels privileged to have been chosen to participate in this Programme and is looking forward to a continued partnership over the coming years."
Professor Juan Cruz, Dean of Fine Art at the Royal College of Art said: "We are grateful to Travers Smith for so generously facilitating this opportunity for our students and look forward to an ongoing and rewarding relationship with the firm, its clients and associates."
The firm will also be awarding cash prizes to winning artists, as chosen by an independent panel of judges and a firm-wide vote.
As part of the firm's ongoing drive to nurture emerging talent, it recently ran a “Blank Canvas” initiative, a project which involved commissioning work by a recently graduated artist to produce new artwork to be installed in the firm's central London offices. The Garden Path VI by James Seow, who graduated from The RCA in 2014, was chosen from over 40 artworks and will be displayed in the firm's recently refurbished Hosier Lane reception area. The firm has also installed a new feature wall by a recent graduate from Camberwell College of Arts. Snow Hill Tunnel Entrance - Drawing No. 4 by Alex Devereux, who graduated in 2014, will feature outside the firm's new café space.