Announcing Outset Study at Drawing Room

Launching on Thursday 17 October 2013
– Press launch 6pm
– VIP event 7pm

We are delighted to announce that autumn 2013 sees the opening of Outset Study – a unique, free, open access research hub comprising a specialist contemporary drawing library and study area. Outset Study is housed within our gallery and will also host talks, events and small exhibition displays. It is supported by Outset Contemporary Art Fund and is the first of its kind in the UK and Europe.

More info:

Comprising a specialist reference library of research material on drawing in international contemporary art since 1970, Outset Study is an essential resource for artists, curators, writers, scholarly researchers, students and exhibition visitors.  The growing collection currently includes approximately 2,000 books, including rare items not held in other major UK and Irish libraries, and reflects the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary drawing practice.

The general reference collection documents developments in the fine and graphic arts as well as other disciplines in which drawing plays a central role.  Resources include artists’ monographs, catalogues of individual and group exhibitions, journals, theory texts, catalogues of private and public collections, and subject bibliographies.

Additionally Outset Study contains three special collections of material not available elsewhere:

• Drawing Room Study Collection – Containing Drawing Room publications and the archive of Drawing Room’s past exhibition and event programme, resources include audio and video recordings of talks, in-conversations, symposia, as well as press cuttings, and installation photographs.

• Artists Reading Lists – Each artist that takes part in Drawing Room exhibitions, residencies and projects, compiles a ‘reading list’ that informs and expands the themes explored in their projects. A selection of books from each list are acquired and form this unique collection which includes an eclectic range of material from works of poetry, plays, novels, and artists’ monographs, to essays, exhibition documentation, and theory. 

• Rare Resources – Artist’s monographs, catalogues, and display documentation not available in other major UK and Irish libraries (with their holdings on COPAC) are brought together in this collection.

Outset Study is also open to gallery visitors to view current exhibition related information and browse the reference library.

Supporters:

Outset Study is established thanks to the generous support of Outset Contemporary Art Fund with the individual support of Sybil and Matthew Robson Orr and Karen Ruimy.  Additional income was generated by Drawing Biennial 2013.  The architectural design is thanks to the generous support of David Bickle (Partner) and Dean Walker (Architectural Assistant) of Hawkins/Brown Architects.

More on Study at Drawing Room:

Study at Drawing Room includes the new onsite Outset Study and our online Study which provides access to contemporary drawing research material including essays and recordings of in-conversations, talks and events. Study  expands Drawing Room’s commitment to act as a catalyst to test the parameters of drawing, providing opportunities for artists, writers and curators to produce, examine, present and research contemporary drawing.

Upcoming Study Event:

Gavin Delahunty ‘On Carl Andre’s Poems’
Tuesday 5 November, 6.30pm
Gavin Delahunty, Head of Exhibitions & Displays, Tate Liverpool, gives a talk ‘On Carl Andre’s poems’, the subject of his forthcoming Tate publication.Ticket info

Access Information:

In person:

Outset Study is a new space within Drawing Room, located in Bermondsey, London at 12 Rich Estate, Crimscott Street, SE1 5TE.

Open Tuesday to Friday 11am–6pm, and Saturday 12–6pm

During Drawing Room exhibitions we are open until 8pm on the last Friday of every month.

Please note: we may occasionally be closed for workshops, group visits, and events and we recommend booking an appointment for access to the special collections.

To make arrangements for a research visit please contact us on [email protected] or 0207 394 5657.

Group visits:
We welcome group visits from universities, colleges, schools and other interested groups to make use of the space for teaching.   Please note a fee may be charged for exclusive use of the space.

External access:
If you are not able to visit the space please do contact us with enquiries via email on [email protected]

Or write to:
Outset Study
at Drawing Room
12 Rich Estate,
Crimscott Street,
London SE1 5TE

Please note: we are a small team and may not be able to respond immediately.  Research fees may also apply for more in depth enquiries or those requiring large amounts of information.

Online:

Our online Study  provides access to Drawing Room essays, exhibition guides, publications, audio and video recordings of talks, in conversations and symposia.  From 2014 there will be an online library catalogue.

www.drawingroom.org.uk/library

Drawing Room:

Drawing Room opened in 2003 as the only public, non-profit gallery space in the UK and Europe dedicated to the exploration of contemporary drawing. We place upmost importance on supporting artists’ work through new commissions, the production of publications, learning events, artist-led workshops, collaborations and tours of the exhibitions in and outside the UK. Drawing Room was co-founded by Mary Doyle, Kate Macfarlane and Katharine Stout. 

For further information or interviews please contact [email protected] / [email protected] or telephone 020 7394 5657