Trusts and foundations can either give general support to an exhibition or choose to give to a particular aspect of it, such as education programmes or the exhibition catalogue. To complement its permanent collection, the National Galleries of Scotland organises major exhibitions across its four galleries. These temporary shows are perhaps the most visible example of the Galleries fulfilling its mission to make its collection accessible to the public and foster interest in and learning about art.

Selective Memory – Scotland & Venice at the Venice Bienalle and the Gallery of Modern Art
Most recently, The Foyle Foundation and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation lent support for Selective Memory - Scotland and Venice, an exhibition presented at the Venice Bienalle.

The project started with the process of commissioning work to be exhibited at the Venice Biennale, and was extended to make a revised presentation in Edinburgh at the Gallery of Modern Art.

A partnership was formed between the National Galleries of Scotland, the Scottish Arts Council and the British Council to support Scottish-based artists in the creation of new work following on from the event in Venice. This working group also supported the work of curators in developing concepts with the artists for the exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art.

As well as creating an opportunity to develop audiences for the visual arts in Scotland, this project promoted the strongest and most interesting work being made in Scotland today, strengthening long-term relationships between artists in Scotland and galleries world-wide.