Clyde & Co unveils new artist support partnership

Global law firm Clyde & Co has announced a new partnership with Perspective Project, a charity tackling mental health stigma through art and creativity, for its annual Art Award programme in the UK.

Part of the firm's corporate social responsibility programme, the Clyde & Co Art Award was created to help art students transition from art school to professional artist. Participants are invited to exhibit their work in Clyde & Co's offices and receive financial and pro bono legal support and professional mentoring.

Begun in the UK in 2011, the programme has been rolled out to Clyde & Co’s offices across the globe. More than 500 artists have received financial and pro bono legal support and professional mentoring, while their work has been displayed across six of the firm's offices and been made available through an online auction, will all proceeds going to the artist.

Perspective Project is a London-based charity that provides a therapeutic, creative outlet for people whose lives have been affected by mental health issues. The art, submitted by a range of artists who have experienced mental health issues, will be displayed in the firm's headquarters and will be promoted through the firm's intranet and other digital channels.

Peter Hirst, Clyde & Co's senior partner, commented: "For many years the Clyde & Co Art Award has encouraged emerging talent in the visual arts by easing the transition from art school to the commercial art world. We are excited to partner with Perspective Project as we embark on a new chapter with the Art Award with a clear focus on mental health. We hope that the partnership and the art itself will inspire conversations about and increase understanding of this most crucial of issues in the workplace."