Documenting national treasures
Exports of Cultural Interest and Acceptance In Lieu reports
We’ve been working with Arts Council England since 1991 (when they were The Arts Council of Great Britain). We work on various digital and printed publications, including these two legislative documents, laid before Parliament.
The Cultural Gifts Scheme enables UK taxpayers to donate important works of art for the benefit of the public or the nation, in return for a tax reduction. Acceptance in Lieu is similar but applies to inheritance tax or estate duty.
The schemes exist to help to keep assets of national importance in the UK, for the public benefit (and public display).
The relative merit (and value of each case) is judged by a committee of experts, and our job is to provide the catalogue of all of the cases for approval before Parliament (and as a public record).
The Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest committee has a similar purpose. These eight experts advise the Secretary of State for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) whether a cultural object intended for export is a national treasure. Any item considered too important to leave the UK can be placed under temporary export deferral.
Our role is to produce a published record of the cases reviewed in each year, and the results of those reviews.
2012 Spread
2012 Spread
Each publication works to a strict timetable with a pre-booked date for ‘laying before Parliament’.
As well as working within to Arts Council England and DCMS guidelines for design, we work with a proof-reader to ensure that all the text is consistent and within their house style.
2017 Spread
2017 Spread
2018 Spread
2018 Spread
Image quality has to be exceptional so we colour balance and retouch images throughout and work with a specialist fine-art printer to ensure quality at every stage.
2016 Spread
2016 Spread
2019 Spread
2019 Spread
The publications (which varying in page numbers each year) have to be designed and produced within strict guidelines for text size and structure. We relish the challenge of those restrictions whilst bringing a unique style a showcase for the artworks.
2015 Spread
2015 Spread
2014 Spread
2014 Spread
The annual report was successfully laid in Parliament on Tuesday... The feedback I have received has been entirely positive. I have a copy on the desk in front of me and I am struck by what a handsome and beautifully presented document it is. The front cover has turned out particularly well. I think all that hard work and extra effort has resulted in a really smart report that we can all be proud of".
2013 Spread
2013 Spread
It is such a privilege to get to work with these incredible art works (and to get the scoop on these big discussions).