Grants Schemes
Main Grants scheme |Small Grants scheme | Auction applications | Other funding initiatives
Main Grants scheme
Main Grants are for applications for grants of above £5,000 and/or where the total cost of the work is £10,000 or more. These applications are considered by the Art Fund Trustees at Board meetings, and applicants will be expected to arrange for the work under consideration to be brought to the Board meeting for viewing.
Applicants will need to let the Programmes team know as soon as possible if an object will not be able to be brought to the Board Meeting as alternative viewing arrangements will have to be made.
Board Meetings are held six times a year. As soon as you know that you might want to make an application, please contact the Programmes team for meeting dates and application deadlines.
Please click here to read a case study
Small Grants scheme
Small Grants are for all applications where the work costs £10,000 or less (for works at auction, a hammer price of £10,000 or less). The maximum grant for which you can apply through Small Grants will usually be £5,000, but applicants may request a greater proportion of funding if they can demonstrate need. The Art Fund may also occasionally award larger grants at its discretion.
Applications under the Small Grants scheme can be submitted at any time, and you can expect to wait between three to four weeks from the date you submit your application to be notified of the Trustees' decision, although this will depend on the details of the application. Works will need to be viewed by a Trustee or an appointed advisor, but this can be arranged on a case by case basis at a convenient location.
Please click here to read a case study
Auction applications
The Art Fund can fast-track grant applications for potential acquisitions coming up at auction. We need seven working days for work at auction in London, and ten working days for work at auction outside London (including international auctions). This gives Trustees or their appointed representative enough time to view the work and enables the Board to fully consider the application.
Grants for works at auction are offered on a pro rata basis towards your maximum bid plus any additional costs, which can include the buyer's premium paid to the auction house, VAT if applicable, and any bidding agent's fees. This means that the amount paid by The Art Fund will depend on the price fetched by the object in the auction.
We strongly advise you to contact the Programmes Office at the earliest opportunity if you are considering making an auction application. Applicants are also advised not to contact the auction house prior to discussing the application with the Programmes Office.
Please click here to read important information about auction applications and here to read a case study
IF YOU HAVE A POTENTIAL APPLICATION AND WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR FUNDING UNDER ANY OF THESE SCHEMES, PLEASE CALL A MEMBER OF THE PROGRAMMES OFFICE.
