Cass Sculpture Foundation facts for kids
The Cass Sculpture Foundation was a special place in Goodwood, Sussex, England. It was a charity that helped artists create amazing sculptures. The Foundation had 26 acres of land, which is like 20 football fields! This huge outdoor space was filled with about 80 large sculptures. These artworks were always changing because they were all for sale. When a sculpture was sold, the money went straight to the artists who made them.
The Foundation paid for itself by selling these sculptures and by charging visitors a small fee to enter. In 2020, the people in charge, called Trustees, decided to close the Foundation. So, the park is no longer open. The Foundation's collection of drawings and small models, called maquettes, was given to the Pallant House Gallery in Chichester.
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How the Foundation Started
The Cass Sculpture Foundation was created by Wilfred and Jeannette Cass. They loved art and had many sculptures by famous artists like Elisabeth Frink and Henry Moore. They wanted to create a place where artists could make new and exciting sculptures.
To get ideas, they visited other sculpture parks around the world. They saw places like the Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands and the Hakone Open-Air Museum in Japan. After their research, the Cass Sculpture Foundation officially opened in 1992.
Supporting Artists and New Ideas
The Foundation helped create over 400 new artworks. They worked with both new artists and very famous ones. Some of the well-known artists included Anthony Caro, Tony Cragg, and Rachel Whiteread.
The main goal was to give artists money and support. This allowed them to try new materials and create avant-garde art. This means art that is very new and different. The founders hoped these projects would help sculptors become even more successful. They wanted artists to work with others and travel to find new inspiration.
In 2012, the Foundation celebrated its twentieth birthday. They held a special art show in London called 'Tony Cragg at Exhibition Road'. This show displayed 12 sculptures by the British artist Tony Cragg. These artworks were placed along Exhibition Road near famous places like the V&A and the Science Museum. The Foundation also started working with art groups in other countries, like the Hermitage Museum in Russia.
Creating New Sculptures
The Cass Sculpture Foundation was known for helping artists make very large sculptures. The charity used the money from selling sculptures to fund new projects. When an artwork was sold, the money was split. Part went to the artist, and part went to pay for the next new sculpture. This way, there was always a fresh collection of art.
Making a new sculpture could take a long time, sometimes up to five years. During this process, artists would give small models, called maquettes, and drawings to the Foundation. These were kept for teaching and learning.
The Foundation paid for all the costs of making these huge artworks. This included materials, building, and even setting up the sculptures. They encouraged artists to be brave and try new things. This helped artists grow and develop their careers.
Artists Who Showed Their Work
Many talented sculptors displayed their art at the Cass Sculpture Foundation. Some of these artists were Anthony Caro, Lynn Chadwick, Tony Cragg, Elisabeth Frink, Andy Goldsworthy, Antony Gormley, Thomas Heatherwick, and Rachel Whiteread.
See also
- List of Sculpture Parks
