Debut Contemporary Competitors

Established by Larry Gagosian in Los Angeles in 1980, Gagosian is a global gallery specializing in modern and contemporary art that employs more than three hundred people at exhibition spaces in seven countries across the United States, Europe, and Asia. In addition to its galleries, Gagosian is at the forefront of the digital marketplace with innovative online viewing rooms, timed to coincide with major art fairs, that include highly desirable works by today’s leading artists, transparent pricing, historical scholarship, and insightful market analysis. Gagosian began publishing in 1986, becoming the first gallery to establish a publishing house that produces a vast range of catalogues raisonnés, monographs, artist’s books, scholarly exhibition catalogues, and limited editions. Today the gallery has published more than six hundred titles, rivaling the output of traditional arts trade publishers. The print and online editions of the 'Gagosian Quarterly' provide unique access to artists in their studios and homes through insightful interviews and profiles of and by leading art world professionals. Gagosian has long developed cultural programming and events with artists, including performances, exhibition tours, public talks, film screenings, and studio visits. The gallery has long been committed to working with and advising artists on all aspects of their legacy planning. In 2018 the gallery launched its Building a Legacy program, bringing together artists and their studio staff with experts in the field of artists’ estates, nonprofit foundations, and legacy stewardship through a series of symposia.

An independent institution, The Royal Academy of Arts exists to promote art and artists – a mission we pursue through exhibitions, education and debate. We have a lot in common with other museums and galleries, and while the diversity of our exhibitions programme sets us apart, a few other factors also make the RA a unique institution. We promote not just the appreciation and understanding of art, but also its practice. We are home to Britain’s first art school, the RA Schools; our three-year postgraduate course is one of the most competitive in the country, and we are proud to offer free tuition to all who study here. We are artist-run. Just as when we were founded in 1768, we are led by many of the greatest artists and architects of the day. Known as Royal Academicians, they are all practising artists who help to steer our vision and support our activities. Lastly, we are an independent charity, and unlike most of our peers we do not receive revenue funding from the government and so we are reliant upon the support of visitors, donors, sponsors, and the loyal Friends of the Royal Academy to continue our work.

Our mission is to increase the public’s enjoyment and understanding of art. When Tate first opened its doors to the public in 1897 it had just one gallery, displaying a small collection of British artworks. Today we have four major galleries and the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day and international modern and contemporary art, which includes nearly 80,000 artworks. Tate is a public institution owned by, and existing for, the public.