The British Sporting Art Trust

We are Britain’s leading charity that supports the promotion of British sporting art. Have a look round our website to find information about our collection, library and archive. You can find out more about how we promote British sporting art and see information on how to become a member. The British Sporting Art Trust was established in 1977 to bring together a representative collection of sporting art for public exhibition and to promote interest in the subject.

The trust runs an active membership programme. The trust supports the temporary exhibitions programme at Palace House, Newmarket and frequent organises visits and events. Two essays on sporting artists by leading experts are published each year.

In addition to the collection of British sporting paintings, prints and sculpture the Trust has a comprehensive library and archive available to researchers.

Palace House, Newmarket

Since its foundation, the BSAT has strived to create a permanent art gallery dedicated to British sporting art. In collaboration with the National Horseracing Museum and the Retraining of Racehorses Charity, it is one of the three charities that have come together to form National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art. which includes the Fred Packard Museum and Galleries for British Sporting Art. Situated in the remaining portion of Charles II’s racing palace in Newmarket, the gallery provides a permanent home for the BSAT’s collection of sporting art.

Collection and Conservation

We have a representative collection of British sporting art which form the foundation of the displays in the Fred Packard museum and Art Galleries of British Sporting Art. We also have an active loans policy and have recently loaned works to the Melton Carnegie Museum in Melton Mowbray, Gainsborough House and The Munnings Art Museum.

Research

We actively support continued research into British sporting art. The Trust publishes two essays a year written by leading scholars. It also holds an extensive library and archive dedicated to the genre. We also support research through our library, archive and network of experts and private collectors. We also award occaisional grants to young researchers working in the field.

Education

We hold an annual Paul Mellon lecture and run regular symposiums for members. In collaboration with the National Horseracing Museum, we run an education programme complementing our exhibitions.

Exhibitions

The new heritage centre will also have two purpose built temporary exhibition galleries which will enable us to periodically focus on particular aspects of sporting art.