Aims/priorities: The funding is for UK-based visual art education projects that creatively engage audiences with the process of making and exploration of materials.
The aim is to support exploratory projects that embrace openness, collaboration and iteration, enabling organisations 'to work in an expansive way with materials, unpicking and challenging preconceptions about making and material literacy, interrogating practice and working in an open and collaborative way'.
Who can apply? Applications will be considered from UK-based visual arts organisations which are run with a charitable purpose and for public benefit.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Organisations registered with The Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Scottish Charity Regulator, or The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.
- Exempt charities.
- Galleries, museums, or organisations which are part of a Local Authority.
- Galleries, museums, or organisations part of a larger charitable organisation, such as a university.
- Community Interest Companies (CICs), Community Benefit Societies, and other organisations with charitable purposes run for public benefit.
There are additional requirements for Community Interest Companies and other organisation types. In order for them to be eligible, they must demonstrate:
- Their activities fall within charitable purposes determined by Charity Commission for England and Wales.
- They have asset lock provisions in the organisation's governing document.
- They prohibit payment of dividends or other disbursement of surplus funds or profits.
- They are able to physically segregate restricted funds, usually through a separate bank account.
The Foundation is open to receiving applications from organisations that include visual arts as part of their work, including heritage organisations and multi-arts organisations.
Grant amount: Up to £25,000 are available.
Proposed projects can be of any length but must take place between 1 January and 31 December 2027.
Application process: Online application support sessions will be held on 9 July (10:30 am to 12 pm) and 12 August (10:30 am to 12 pm). Registration is required through eventbrite. Recordings and transcripts will be available on the Freelands Foundation website after each session.
The guidance notes, FAQs, an online eligibility checker and application form can be found on the Freelands Foundation website.
Deadline: Friday, 11 September 2026 (noon). Notification of decisions expected by 23 November 2026. Funding provided no earlier than December 2026.
Contact information: Email: grants@freelandsfoundation.co.uk
Website: Learning Through Making Fund | Apply | Freelands Foundation