Philanthropy

  • The Hyman Collection's philanthropic activities are rooted in a belief in the importance of British photography, both nationally and internationally....
    Picture credit: Yan Morvan

    The Hyman Collection's philanthropic activities are rooted in a belief in the importance of British photography, both nationally and internationally. Through founding and seed-funding the Centre for British Photography, supporting its grants programme, and making significant donations to public institutions, we seek to ensure that British photography is nurtured, preserved, and celebrated for the benefit of all.

  • At the heart of the Hyman Collection is a commitment to excellence in British photography. Our work is driven by the conviction that photography is a vital strand of Britain's cultural heritage, deserving both preservation and promotion on the national and international stage. We believe in the highest standards of curatorship, scholarship, and artistic ambition, as evidenced by:

     

    Founding and Seed-Funding the Centre for British Photography

    James Hyman established the Centre for British Photography (CBP) as a registered charity (No. 1190955) in 2020, providing significant seed-funding and strategic direction to ensure its success as a leading institution for the promotion and support of British photography in all its diversity. This included direct financial support, loans and the donation of valuable works for sale by the charity to generate funds to support its programming and operations.

     

    Major Donations to Public Institutions

    2012
    • Donated 34 prints by Alan Davie to the British Museum, London, supporting the museum's contemporary British art collections.
    2018
    • Donated 125 photographs to the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, USA, including works by Bill Brandt, Martin Parr, Chris Killip, Anna Fox, John Blakemore, and Fay Godwin, to enhance the international standing and academic engagement with British photography.
    2019
    • Gifted 100 photographs to the Bodleian Library, Oxford, strengthening the representation of British photography in one of the UK's foremost research institutions.

    Public Engagement
    We are dedicated to ensuring that British photography is accessible to all, regardless of background or geography, and that our activities reach and benefit diverse audiences.

     

    Making the Collection Accessible
    The Hyman Collection has never charged a fee for museum loans. Since 2023, all fees for the administration of these loans are used to support the charitable activities of the Centre for British Photography, reinforcing our ethos of access and public benefit.

     

    Education and Outreach

    By digitising the collection and supporting educational initiatives, we make British photography available to a wide public, from students to scholars and the general public. Our loans to international exhibitions - over 100 photographs in the past 18 months - promote British photography globally and foster cross-cultural dialogue.

     

    Championing Diversity and Inclusion
    The Collection actively celebrates the full breadth of British photography, with particular support for women and underrepresented artists. We are committed to amplifying new and diverse voices within the sector.

     

    Preserving and Promoting British Photography
    The Hyman Collection has acquired photographers' estates, archives, installations, complete exhibitions, and boxed sets to ensure the long-term preservation of Britain's photographic culture.

     

    Mentoring and Sector Support
    We provide ongoing mentoring and support for artists at all stages of their careers, advising on professional development, legacy planning, and archiving best practice.

     

    Sector Advocacy
    Through major donations, institutional partnerships, interviews, panel discussions, and sector advocacy, we work to promote, nurture, preserve, and celebrate British photography for the benefit of all.

     

    Selected Philanthropic Highlights

    2009-2011
    • Sponsor and Judge of the National Media Museum's Bursary Awards for young photographers.

    2012

    • Donated portfolio of 34 prints by Alan Davie to the British Museum, London

    2013

    • Supporter of the Media Space at the Science Museum

    2015

    • Launched the online educational resource www.hymancollection.org
    • Hosted and supported for Fast Forward: Women in Photography workshop
    2017 - ongoing
    • James serves as a Trustee of the Kraszna-Krausz Foundation, supporting books on photography and cinematography
    2018
    • Donated 125 British photographs to the collection of the Yale Centre for British Art, New Haven, USA
    2019
    • Donated 100 British photographs to the collection of the Bodleian Library in Oxford, England
    2020
    • Staged and donated all works to one of the first fundraisers during the Covid-19 pandemic to support the NHS. (March-April 2020)
    • Founded a new charity, The Hyman Foundation, to support photography in Britain in all its diversity
    2022
    • Founded and seed-funded 8,000 square foot public space, The Centre for British Photography (registered charity number 1190955)
    2023
    • Donated 110 British photographs to the Centre for British Photography for sale to raise funds for the charity (2023)

     2023-2025

    • Supported the Centre for British Photography's Realisation Grants for photographers

     

    Ongoing

    • Support for the Centre for British Photography
    • Acquisition and preservation of photographers' archives and estates
    • Acquisitions of additional historical and contemporary works to continue to build the collection
    • Extensive international loans
    • Mentoring and support for artists throughout their careers.