The Jerwood Foundation is a UK grant-maker supporting excellence and emerging talent in the visual and performing arts. The Foundation funds organisations delivering high-quality artistic work that benefits public audiences and supports artists at key stages in their careers.
Funding is awarded for specific arts projects that demonstrate artistic ambition, public engagement and meaningful cultural impact.
How Much Funding Is Available
The exact award amount depends on the scale, ambition and impact of the proposed activity. Grants are awarded for defined projects rather than ongoing organisational costs.
Previous awards typically ranging from £15,000 to £500,000 per project.
What Jerwood Foundation Funding Supports
Jerwood Foundation funding supports:
- Public exhibitions, performances and artistic presentations
- New commissions and development of creative work
- Artist development programmes and residencies
- Projects that champion emerging and mid-career talent
- Work that increases public access to high-quality art
Projects must include a clear public-facing element and demonstrate how audiences will benefit from the activity.
The Foundation focuses on artistic excellence and public benefit, rather than general organisational sustainability.
What the Foundation Does Not Fund
Jerwood Foundation does not fund:
- Individuals
- Core organisational running costs
- Capital endowments
- Retrospective funding
- Educational course fees or bursaries
- Activities outside the arts
- Projects without a clear public presentation or engagement element
Funding is project-specific and must fall within the timeline set for each funding round.
Who Is Eligible
To apply, organisations must:
- Be a UK-based organisation
- Be a registered charity, CIO, or properly constituted organisation with charitable purposes
- Deliver clear public benefit through arts and culture
- Be applying for a defined project (not general core costs)
- Ensure the project start date or public opening falls within the specified funding round window
Applications must include detailed project plans, timelines and balanced budgets.
Funding Rounds and Timeline
Jerwood Foundation runs scheduled funding rounds linked to Trustee meetings.
For the Spring 2026 round:
- Application deadline: 2pm on 18 March 2026
- Trustee decision: 29 April 2026
- Applicants informed by 13 May 2026
- Eligible projects must begin or open to the public between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027
Organisations should ensure their project timeline aligns with the relevant funding window before applying.
What Makes a Strong Application
Strong applications clearly demonstrate:
- Artistic quality and ambition
- Meaningful public engagement
- Support for emerging or developing talent
- Clear delivery plans and achievable outcomes
- A realistic and well-structured budget
Projects that show how they expand access to the arts or elevate artistic practice are particularly aligned with the Foundation’s priorities.
Is This Right for Your Organisation?
If your organisation produces high-quality visual or performing arts work and is seeking project funding to deliver a public-facing programme, commission or development initiative, Jerwood Foundation funding could be a strong fit.
This fund is best suited to organisations ready to deliver ambitious, audience-focused projects within a defined timeframe, with clear artistic and public impact.
