Jerwood Art Fund Commissions

Overview

In addition to providing support to commission artists and enabling them to pursue their practice in the current challenging economic environment, Jerwood Art Fund Commissions will develop the skills and confidence of UK museums to undertake commissioning projects, whilst engaging audiences in the work of living artists. Through the partnership we aim to support: 

• Two commissions of £70,000 - £100,000 per year over the coming three years, covering the full costs of delivering and presenting the commissions with each partner museum.
• Early to mid-career artists who are either based in or have a connection to the UK, and for whom a commission of this scale and profile would constitute a significant step forward in their artistic and professional development.
• Artists working across a full range of artistic media and making practices (e.g. textiles, sculpture, ceramics, glass, painting, mixed-media, film, photography etc).
• Commissions that enter a permanent collection with a public UK museum or gallery, including permanent public realm commissions. 
• Artists that demonstrate the potential for excellence and innovation in the works they produce, furthering the aims of both Art Fund and Jerwood Foundation. 

Who can apply

They will consider applications from public museums, galleries, historic houses, libraries and archives based in the UK or Channel Islands that are:

• open for at least half the week for at least six months of the year.
• at least provisionally accredited through the Arts Council Accreditation Scheme or other national equivalents

They also encourage partnerships between museums and other partners or other institutions who want to commission work that will have a permanent legacy for artists, cultural organisations and audiences.

Art Fund does not accept applications or enquiries directly from artists.

For full eligibility details please see the Guidance for applicants.

Application Process

Applicants will be required to complete their standard application form for commission grants which includes the following information:

• Benefit to the Artist:

  • How will the artist benefit from being involved in the commission? How will this commission constitute a significant step forward in their artistic and professional development? The commissioning organisation’s track record in this area, and their experience of working with artists in this way to support the development of their artistic practice.

• Benefit to the Organisation:

  • How will the commission benefit the organisation and why are they choosing to commission new work (e.g., instead of acquiring existing work)? How will the commission enrich, compliment or respond to their existing collection? How will the commission develop the organisation’s skills and confidence in undertaking commissioning projects?

• Benefit to Audiences:

  • How will audiences benefit from the commission, in the short, medium and long term? How will audiences engage with the commissioning process and experience the commission? Will the legacy of the commission have a longer-term impact for audiences and the wider community?

• Project Budget:

  • Detailed budget breakdown for the project, including clearly defined fees for the artist that are separate from the production costs, installation costs, launch and presentation costs, maintenance etc. Detail on how artist fees have been calculated, with reference to current sector benchmarks, e.g., a-n The Artists Information Company