The Royal College of Art gratefully acknowledges the substantial help and support we have received – in cash, in kind and other ways – from our patrons, donors, sponsors and partners.

At exhibition time and throughout the year, we depend on their generosity. In particular, we would like to place on record our thanks to the following for their very special commitment to the College:

Mr Basil H Alkazzi
The late Mr Tom Bendhem
Eric and Jean Cass
Serenella and David Ciclitira
Clore Foundation
Sir Terence Conran and The Conran Foundation
Sir James Dyson and the James Dyson Foundation
FT Weekend
Helen Hamlyn Foundation
Homebase
Interbrand
London Development Agency
Man Group plc Charitable Trust
Microsoft Research Labs
Royal Mail Philatelic Sector
Sir Jocelyn Stevens Fund
Fred and Pat Tuckman
Valpak Ltd
Garfield Weston Foundation
Withers LLP
Matthews Wrightson Charity Trust

As anybody who has read a newspaper recently will know, we are living in quite demented times and 2009 feels so very different to last year. The world is changing in ways we cannot yet imagine but now is not a time for pessimism. If you are brave and believe in your work then people will always be keen to support you because if talented young people are afraid to do things and thrive on their creativity then we will slip further and deeper into the gloom. In the UK, where the economic results of creativity are singularly important, we need young artists and designers more than ever – to imagine a better future that works and is more human-centred. That’s why I am delighted that The Conran Foundation is helping to give form and shape to that future by continuing to support the summer Graduate Show at the Royal College of Art.

Another way this year is pivotal is that it’s the end of an era, with Sir Christopher Frayling stepping down as Rector. Christopher is a formidable force for good and a great friend who will be dearly missed by everybody here. But we look forward to the future of the Royal College of Art in the very capable hands of the new Rector, Dr Paul Thompson, and also in the works of these young artists and designers who have the talent and energy to make a difference to the world we live in.

Sir Terence Conran

Interbrand is honoured to be a sponsor of this year’s prestigious Royal College of Art Summer Show, and we are proud to be associated with such a well-respected brand. Interbrand partnered with the RCA in 2008, and valued the brand at £57 million. While we founded the practice of placing a financial value on brands some 20 years ago, our partnership with the RCA was the first time that we have applied our proven valuation methodology to a Higher Education institution. The valuation has since proved critical in supporting investment decisions and securing funding for the College. We feel that this work will encourage other Higher Education institutions to see the value in embarking on a similar exercise. Again, we are extremely excited to be partnering with the RCA and look forward to this year’s event.

Julian Dailly
Director of Valuation
Interbrand

FT Weekend is pleased to support the RCA Summer Show.

Intelligent and accomplished writing about the arts is a vital element of what we offer our weekend readers, and we have one of the finest groups of critics working for any newspaper. We are sure there will be great interest in the Summer Show among FT Weekend readers and are happy to have the opportunity to collaborate with the RCA.

Andy Davis
Editor
FT Weekend

Homebase is delighted to be a sponsor of SHOW RCA. As the UK’s number one home enhancement retailer, we know all about helping people to make a house a home through the creative use of colour, art and design.

These elements are at the heart of every home and help to individualise empty rooms and bare spaces to reflect the personalities of their owners.

SHOW RCA demonstrates the “art of the possible” – and we hope it will encourage us all to be braver and more confident in expressing our personalities creatively – both inside and outside the home.

Creativity and imagination are two of our nation’s greatest strengths and we are sure that this will be clearly demonstrated in this Show.

Paul Loft
Managing Director