Introduction

The generous act of opening one's house and offering coffee and cake to guests, who may have been strangers only a moment before, also expresses hospitality of a more abstract kind in which space is provided to enable the exchange of ideas and creativity. Such conceptual hospitality lies at the centre of any discussion of contemporary art and philanthropy. In the imaginative coming together of different kinds of creative making, the house of art is raised and opened to us all. Joining a gathering of writers and artists under this heading, we demonstrate a philanthropic spirit ourselves, each offering something from our own store in contribution to what may be achieved together.