Museums Association: Beecroft Bequest
Overview
Under the terms of the will of the late Walter G Beecroft, the residue of his estate was generously left to the Museums Association to form the Beecroft Bequest.
The Beecroft Bequest has helped fund a number of significant acquisitions for institutional members, including Milford House, Ely Museum and Herschel Museum of Astronomy.
The Beecroft Bequest is open to MA institutional members and in a climate where funds and funding for museums around the UK are shrinking, they want to support their members to make acquisitions and grow their collections.
They are keen to support the development of collections that are relevant to local communities and tell stories that connect with all. The process is straightforward, please do not put off applying.
They want to work with you and are keen to answer any questions you may have regarding your application.
Criteria for grant awards
The income deriving from the bequest was to be distributed as grant-in-aid to art galleries and museums in the British Isles towards:
… the purchase of pictures and works of art (furniture or textiles can be considered) not later than the 18th century in date…
The Bequest is administered by trustees who are appointed by the MA.
To be eligible:
- Museums must
- be institutional members of the MA and based in the UK
- be accredited
- not have already been awarded a grant from the fund in the current financial year
- fall into the first three institutional membership bands.
- The purchase
- must not be later in date than 1800
- can be of fine or decorative arts (e.g. paintings, watercolours, sculpture, ceramics, metalwork, furniture, textiles) and other items of aesthetic merit.
- The object
- must be genuine, of good quality and condition
- must represent good value for money – an independent valuation should be sought
- must be valued at at least £500.
- The applicant
- must demonstrate how it meets the organisation’s acquisition policy and overall aims and objectives
- must demonstrate how the object fits with the organisation’s collections development policy
- must confirm commitment to and awareness of the Museums Association’s Code of Ethics, Museums Change Lives and the Supporting Decolonisation in Museums guidance, particularly where the acquisition may support work in these areas
- must explain, with examples, how the object will be used and interpreted to fulfil your museum’s equality, diversity and inclusion objectives
- must demonstrate how the object will be made accessible to the public
- must demonstrate the aesthetic merit of the object
- ensure there is a sound reason for the acquisition.
Applicants must provide:
- A copy of the condition report
- An independent valuation
- All applications must be sent electronically with an electronic signature and at least one high resolution photograph of the object(s)
- 200 word case study once the object is on display.
The grant
- Up to 95% of the purchase price can be awarded
- No single grant will exceed £20,000
- An element of local financial contribution is required.