Frequently Asked Questions
- What other bodies could we approach for funding?
- What is an ‘independent valuation’?
- What is a ‘museum discount’?
- What is ‘tax remission’?
- What information is required on provenance?
What other bodies could we approach for
funding?
There are a number of other bodies who support
acquisitions, and we expect applicants to research all possibilities before
contacting The Art Fund.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will offer assistance towards projects that conserve and promote understanding of the nation’s past, and the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) is able to act quickly as a fund of last resort to save British heritage at risk. National museums and galleries in England and Wales may also apply to the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Scottish museums and galleries can seek assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions, and institutions in Northern Ireland should contact the Northern Ireland Museums Council. The Beecroft Bequest administered through the Museums Association can assist smaller museums and galleries with applications for pre-18th century works of art. The Headley Museums Treasure Acquisition Scheme helps institutions acquire artefacts classified as Treasure under the Treasure Act 1996. The MLA PRISM Fund supports the acquisition and/or conservation of items related to science or technology.
Also, there may be local bodies that could help fund your application.
What is an ‘independent
valuation’?
We require all applicants to provide us with an
independent valuation of the object under consideration. It is crucial that
whoever gives the valuation is not told of the selling price set by the vendor
but instead, gives their own. Independent advice should be sought from a
specialist in the field who is familiar with market values (e.g. an auction
house or dealer). If you have difficulty in identifying a suitable person to
provide an independent valuation, we suggest you contact the relevant department
in a national museum.
What is a ‘museum
discount’?
We ask that all applicants try to negotiate a museum
discount when purchasing from a dealer. Some sellers give museums a discount on
the selling price.
What is ‘tax remission’?
If the
object you wish to acquire is being purchased from a private UK-based owner we
expect you to explore the possibility of tax remission. For further advice, we
recommend that you speak to the Acquisition, Export and Loans unit at the
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).
What information is required on
provenance?
We expect applicants to take full responsibility for
ensuring that any object acquired with our help, whether by grant, gift or
bequest, is legally and ethically sound. We require a full account of an
object’s previous history, including, where appropriate, evidence that it was
legally exported from the country of origin. Applicants are expected to comply
fully with the DCMS Combating Illicit Trade: Due Diligence Guidelines for
Museums, Libraries and Archives on Collecting and Borrowing Cultural Material,
2005.
- HLF
- NHMF
- MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund
- National Fund for Acquisitions
- Northern Ireland Museums Council
- The Beecroft Bequest
- Headley Museums Treasure Acquisition Scheme
- MLA PRISM Fund (scroll down page)
- Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA): Acquisition, Export and Loans unit
- DCMS Combating Illicit Trade: Due Diligence Guidelines, 2005
