Installation of 'Hair: Untold Stories', Horniman Museum and Gardens, December 2021
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Going Places

A new UK-wide programme that will engage underrepresented audiences with museum collections through collaborative touring exhibitions.

Currently in development, Going Places will establish five networks of small to mid-sized museums, with each network producing two touring exhibitions over five years (2025-2030).

Local communities will be involved in shaping exhibition themes and outreach programming, and will bring their voices and stories to each display.

Going Places builds on the recommendations of the research report Going Places: Touring and shared exhibitions in the UK, commissioned by Art Fund and Creative Scotland.

During an initial research and development phase partners will:

  • gain a better understanding of their current and future audiences

  • build skills and confidence in collaborating with local communities

  • participate in training, skills development and mentoring opportunities

  • understand touring practicalities and best practice, particularly in relation to environmentally responsible approaches to exhibition making

  • be supported to build networks and relationships with organisations across the UK to research and develop new and innovative displays and outreach activities

We are currently seeking applications from individual museums or networks (which include two or more museums) to participate in the development phase, ahead of Art Fund making an application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the delivery phase in late 2024.

Collaboration and network-building events are taking place in September and October 2023, and we recommend that all applicants attend if possible. Travel bursaries are available to support attendance at in person events.

The development of Going Places is made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Who can apply

We are seeking applications from small to mid-sized museums based in the UK, where museum means any institution where works of art or objects of interest to science or history (either from their own collection, or on loan) are accessible to the public for instruction or enjoyment. The institution must be open for at least half of the week for at least six months of the year.

For full eligibility details please see the Guidance for applicants.

If you are not eligible to apply for Going Places, but are interested in participating in or supporting the project as a community group, sector support organisation, artist and/or mentor please register your interest here.

We also have a number of consultancy opportunities, the briefs for which can be found here.

Key dates

Applications will open on Tuesday 29 August and close on Friday 24 November.

Collaboration and network-building events will take place in September and October. Please book using the links below:
Thursday 21 September, 10.30 – 16.45, Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth, Wales (a bilingual event – we welcome participation in Welsh). Book here.
Wednesday 27 September, 10.30 – 16.45, Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum, Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Book here.
Wednesday 11 October, 10.00 – 14.15, online. Book here.
Thursday 26 October, 10.00 – 14.15, online (a bilingual event – we welcome participation in Welsh). Book here.

How to apply

Your application

Read the guidance

Download the Guidance for applicants which explains our criteria, helps you apply and gives you guidance on filling out the application form. The Guidance for applicants is available in Welsh here.

Join a collaboration and network-building event

We recommend that all applicants attend an event if possible.
Thursday 21 September, 10.30 – 16.45, Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth, Wales (a bilingual event – we welcome participation in Welsh). Book here.
Wednesday 27 September, 10.30 – 16.45, Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum, Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Book here.
Wednesday 11 October, 10.00 – 14.15, online. Book here.
Thursday 26 October, 10.00 – 14.15, online (a bilingual event – we welcome participation in Welsh). Book here.

Submit your application

Applications must be submitted via the online portal, which will go live shortly. In the meantime, you can begin working on your application by downloading the questions here: Individual application or Network application.

This will allow you to work on your application offline and will enable your responses to be created in collaboration with colleagues across your institution ahead of applying online.

Log in to your My Art Fund account, or create an account, for application forms and to apply. You must be registered as a professional user. If you already have a My Art Fund account, but are not registered as a professional user, you can add your professional details when logged in.

After you've applied

Acknowledgement of application

All applications will be assessed by a committee convened by Art Fund, and applicants will be advised of the outcome in December 2023.

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