Each year the City lends approximately 25 works of art from its Collection to a range of historic and contemporary art exhibitions throughout the world. Many of the exhibitions are seminal in the establishment of the artist's status and impact in art history. The works are appreciated and enjoyed by substantially larger audiences than at Southampton which builds upon the reputation of the City Art Gallery and its Collection. The City Council owns one of the largest collections of art in the South of England which numbers approximately 2,500 works of art. The City Art Gallery has leased works of art of relatively low value and artistic merit to a diverse range of outside institutions for about 35 years.
Clients insure the works and pay a fee which funds necessary conservation work.
The Artlease Scheme benefits the City Council and its Art Collection in two key ways. Firstly paintings, previously deteriorating and unavailable to the public are conserved and displayed in a variety of venues as well as inside the City Art Gallery. Secondly much needed space in the Art Stores is released. The scheme contributes to the accessibility and preservation of the Art Collection and is self financing. Slide Library Southampton City Art Gallery maintains a slide library containing some 20,000 images.