Wolfson Foundation: Funding for performing arts organisations

Overview

Funding for places

About 85% of their funding is for capital infrastructure – buildings (new build or refurbishments) and equipment. These awards support excellence across education, science & medicine, heritage, humanities & the arts and health & disability.

These grants are for capital initiatives, i.e. buildings (new build or refurbishment) and equipment.

Who can apply:

Registered or exempt charity (or equivalent) or local authority

Location of applicant and project:

UK only

Funding covers:

New build, refurbishment and major equipment to improve training and education facilities

Minimum grant amount:

£15,000

Usual grant range:

£50,000 – £150,000

Match funding required:

Yes, if project cost is >£50,000

Decision dates:

June and December annually. Projects must not be completed before a funding decision is made

Wolfson funding programme:

Heritage, Humanities & the Arts

Eligibility

They provide funding for performing arts organisations to improve their training and education facilities. They generally award grants towards the building or refurbishment of these facilities, and occasionally towards the purchase of related specialist equipment. 

Your organisation should:

• be operated by a registered charity or a local authority
• be focussed on professional performance and the performing arts should constitute the vast majority, if not the sole focus, of its activities
• be able to make a case for the significance of its education work within the sector. For applicants that operate a venue, the significance of its artistic programme will also be taken into account.

Your project should be focussed on improving the quality of training and education facilities and represent a strategic priority for the organisation.

It can also have one or more of the following additional aims:

• Better engagement with audiences 
• Increased numbers of participants 
• Improved future sustainability of the organisation 
• Conservation of architectural heritage

When they receive a high level of interest in this programme, they will prioritise applications from training organisations or large- to mid-scale venues, and projects that concern dedicated facilities for education.  

Community and multi-arts centres are unlikely to be eligible for funding through this programme and are encouraged to look instead at the Theatres Trust Wolfson Theatre Improvement Scheme.