Sarabande Foundation was established at the bequest of the late Lee Alexander McQueen CBE as a charitable foundation to support emerging talent who are creatively fearless. Named after his 2007 Spring/Summer collection, Sarabande was established because Lee believed that creative minds who have the potential to push boundaries and overturn prevailing orthodoxies should be given the same opportunities he’d enjoyed during his career. Sarabande supports talent through three main streams of activity:

- Full time scholarships and bursaries

- Subsidised free studio space with extended support network for new businesses

- Extensive events programme with workshops, practical and inspirational talks.

The support offered by the Sarabande Foundation is not limited by art form, medium or discipline but centres around our founding principles of uniqueness of vision, craft, quality, creativity and passion. As an individual or on behalf of an organisation there are several ways that you can help support Sarabande and continue the innovative legacy that enables the creative fearless minds of the future.

DONATE 

We rely on our family of benefactors to play a vital role in supporting Sarabande’s key activities; from the development of our talks programme to the provision of affordable studios for artists. Your support directly contributes to the sustainability and future development of one of the leading independent arts organisations in London. We develop a close and reciprocal relationship with all our benefactors, giving you the opportunity to enjoy a tailored package of benefits whilst enabling Sarabande to flourish and increase the opportunities we offer to artists.

Personal Donors:

The Sarabande family of patrons play a vital role in supporting Sarabande’s key activities; from the development of our talks programme to the provision of scholarships and affordable studio space for artists. Each level of Patron membership enjoys distinct special access to Sarabande and an individual set of privileges.

 Sarabande Guardian £30k per annum

Become a Sarabande Guardian and safeguard the support Sarabande offers to visionary emerging artists and designers. This level of support is for those who would like to have a real impact on the support Sarabande offers. A Guardian's generosity will be instrumental to everything Sarabande aims to achieve.

In return, Sarabande Guardians will enjoy:

- A private tour of Sarabande studios for a Guardian and 10 guests and cocktails at the Ketel One Bar.

- An exclusive event with one of our celebrity Ambassadors.

- Use of the Sarabande space for a private event.

- An invitation to one Alexander McQueen fashion show per annum.

- Handmade Gold Moth Pin – Sarabande’s logo and emblem.

- Recognition (naming) within the Sarabande building and on the website.

- The opportunity to host an artist at home/workplace.

- The opportunity to build close relationships with Sarabande artists.

- Invitations to shows and private events at other leading cultural organisations in London, including the V&A, Royal Academy, The Design Museum and The Serpentine Gallery.

- Complimentary tickets for you and up to 3 guests with reserved seating to all talks in our events programme, including the ‘Inspiration Series' with high level famous names from art and creative world.

- An invitation to the annual Group Show Benefactors Preview, attended by artists, gallerists and leading figures in the creative industries.

Sarabande Platinum Benefactor £20k per annum

Becoming a Sarabande Platinum Benefactor helps safeguard the support Sarabande is able to offer visionary emerging artists and designers. It is an excellent way to enjoy a close involvement with Sarabande and directly help impact what it can achieve.

In return, Sarabande Platinum Benefactors will enjoy:

- A private tour of Sarabande studios for you and 10 guests and cocktails at the Ketel One Bar.

- An exclusive event with one of our celebrity Ambassadors.

- An invitation to one Alexander McQueen fashion show per annum.

- Handmade Gold Moth Pin – Sarabande’s logo and emblem.

- Recognition (naming) within the Sarabande building and on the website.

- The opportunity to build close relationships with Sarabande artists.

- Invitations to shows and private events at other leading cultural organisations in London, including the V&A, Royal Academy, The Design Museum and The Serpentine Gallery.

- Complimentary tickets for you and up to 3 guests with reserved seating to all talks in our events programme, including the ‘Inspiration Series' which is high level famous names from art and creative world.

- An invitation to the annual Group Show Benefactors Preview, attended by artists, gallerists and leading figures in the creative industries.

Sarabande Benefactor £10k per annum

Becoming a Sarabande Benefactor will engage you with our programme and foster a meaningful relationship with Sarabande Foundation. By becoming a benefactor, you are helping make Sarabande support the most creative emerging artists and designers.

In return, Sarabande Benefactors will enjoy:

- A private tour of the studios and cocktails at the Ketel One Bar.

- An exclusive event with one of our celebrity Ambassadors.

- Recognition (naming) within the Sarabande building and on the website.

- Invitations to private events at other leading cultural organisations in London, including the V&A, Royal Academy, The Design Museum and The Serpentine Gallery.

- Complimentary tickets for you and up to 3 guests with reserved seating to all talks in our events programme, including the ‘Inspiration Series'.

- Invitations to privately hosted offsite events, organised by Sarabande Foundation, including exhibition tours, studio visits and artist talks throughout the year.

- An invitation to the annual Group Show Benefactors Preview, attended by artists, gallerists and leading figures in the creative industries.

- Preview of exhibitions co-hosted by the exhibiting artist.

- Advance invitations to onsite events.

Sarabande Patron £5k per annum

Becoming a Patron is synonymous with being part of the life of the Foundation. It allows for a high level of engagement with the Sarabande Foundation CEO and events throughout the year.

In return, Sarabande Patrons will enjoy:

- Invitations to private events at other leading cultural organisations in London, including the V&A, Royal Academy, The Design Museum and The Serpentine.

- Complimentary tickets for you and up to 3 guests to all events including the ‘Inspiration series.’

- Invitations to privately hosted offsite events with Sarabande Alumni, including exhibition tours, studio visits and artist talks throughout the year.

- An invitation to the annual Group Show Benefactors Preview, attended by artists, gallerists and leading figures in the creative industries.

- An invitation to the preview of exhibitions co-hosted by the exhibiting artist.

- Acknowledgement on the ‘Thank You’ page on our website.

Sarabande Supporter £3k per annum

- Invitations to offsite events with Sarabande Alumni, including exhibition tours, studio visits and artist talks throughout the year.

- An invitation to the annual Group Show Benefactors Preview, attended by artists, gallerists and leading figures in the creative industries.

- Preview of exhibitions co-hosted by the exhibiting artist.

- Advance invitations to onsite events.

- Acknowledgement on the ‘Thank You’ page on our website.

Corporate Giving:

By pledging your support to Sarabande you will be joining a select group of patrons who are passionate in supporting the new, want to encourage innovation and help emerging talent. Sarabande values creative freedom for artists allowing them to express their thoughts, upholding the values of uniqueness of vision, craft, passion, respect and creativity.   

We would be delighted to discuss the following levels of corporate support with you and develop a mutually beneficial package for you. 

Headline Partner
£150,000 ex VAT pa 

As a company or organisation you may feel that there is brand alignment with Sarabande Foundation. As a Partner we would work with you to develop a tailored package of benefits that give you a range of opportunities to engage with us, our artists and the wider creative community who support Sarabande. This could include but is not limited to
the use of space at Sarabande for events; tickets to talks for you, your staff or any guests; post event access to talks online alongside e-mailable bulletins, reports and newsletters that can be used to communicate your support and demonstrate your commitment to the arts. 

Programme
£15,000 ex VAT pa 

A programme limited to like-minded companies in the creative world. A  highly engaged workplace  fosters events and gatherings that help your employees connect with other co-workers and build relationships. By supporting Sarabande through The Creative Benefactor Programme you will have the opportunity to engage with your staff by inviting them to our events programme of workshops, exhibitions, educational and inspirational talks. You will also be able to hold private onsite events for your staff or clients, invite them to a private tour of the Foundation and meet the artists, as well as have access our online content.  

As a corporate benefactor we would be delighted to offer you –  

- Tickets to our talks programme that will allow your guests to engage with inspirational content and meet with speakers and artists.
- If relevant, you will be invited to join panel discussions that are appropriate to the area of your business.  
- You and up to 10 guests will be invited to a private tour of Sarabande and the artist studios, with the Director of the Foundation. 
- We would work with Benefactors to create a bespoke event around our Summer Group Show – an exhibition of works from Sarabande Alumni which is attended by artists, gallerists, collectors, curators and other key players in London’s creative industries. 
- We will send monthly highlights of the programme, insights into the artists working at the Foundation and useful information and opportunities for integrated external engagement that will help bring corporate social responsibility to life. 

Talks sponsors
£12,000 ex VAT for a series of talks 

You may feel there is a significant brand alignment with one aspect of our programme and would like to sponsor a series of talks. By sponsoring a series of talks your brand can be present in the educational and business development of the most visionary emerging artists and designers, enabling future generations to flourish and their unique vision been seen. Each talk is filmed in broadcast quality and we will provide you with content to share with your employees and network - these films can be used to demonstrate your commitment to creativity, innovation and design. 

In return for your sponsorship we will give you:  

- Tickets to onsite talks and events for your clients or employees, with the opportunity to meet and engage with speakers and audiences from across the creative industries.  
- Your logo would be used across all marketing and PR collateral associated to the talks series – whether it’s online, on our ticketing, on slides at the talks or on any press releases and marketing materials.  
- We would work with you to ensure maximum coverage across our social media platforms, as well as thank you in all our social communications. 
- You will receive a short Instagram video clip that we edit in-house for you to share on your social media.  
- You will be welcome to a selection of photos from the event for internal use or for you to share on your social media.

The Creative Benefactor
Creative Industries Supporters 

Sarabande Foundation was established to continue the legacy of Lee Alexander McQueen and to ensure that emerging talent is given the opportunity to be bold, fearless and creative without boundaries. This is not possible without support from across the creative industries –people and companies that believe in our goal.  

Tier 1: £5,000 - £15,000 ex VAT 

In return for this support we would be delighted to offer: 

- Your support will be credited on our website as “With thanks to…”
- 3 tickets for each talk so you can bring colleagues or guests to events.
- Access to online content for internal use.
- A quarterly newsletter to keep you and your teams up to date with our activities, and the activities of the visionary creatives who make up the Sarabande Alumni.  

Tier 2: £2,000 - £5,000 ex VAT 

In return for your support we are delighted to offer you: 

- 3 tickets for each talk with leaders across the creative industries so you can bring colleagues or guests to events.  
- Access to online content for internal use.  
- A quarterly newsletter to keep you and your teams up to date with our activities, and the activities of the visionary creatives who make up the Sarabande Alumni.  

Tax Effective Giving
As a registered charity we welcome all donations, no matter how large or small. Your donation can qualify for tax relief under Gift Aid, if the donor is a UK tax payer. This means that we can claim 25p for every pound donated. For example, if you donated £1,000 then we can claim an extra £250 from HMRC without costing you any extra – this makes a huge difference to our charity’s income.

If you are a higher rate tax payer then you can also benefit, you can claim the difference between the rate you pay and the basic rate on your donation. For example, if you pay a 40% tax rate and donate £5,000, then you are entitled to claim £1,000 (20%) from HMRC. This means your donation to Sarabande Foundation would only cost you £4,000.

Our American Donors

If you are a US citizen and would like to donate to us then you can make your donation payable to CAF America, an intermediary grant maker which allows US donors to support international causes tax-effectively. By making their gift to CAF America, US donors can receive a tax-receipt for their gift. CAF America will charge an 8% administrative fee for handling this donation and then forward the remainder to Sarabande Foundation.