Artists Futures Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £100,000+ (awarded over £500,000 since 2020)
• Grant Amount: £10,000 per fellowship plus travel bursary
• Decision Time: Applications open May, decisions announced Summer (approximately 2-3 months)
• Geographic Focus: UK (England and Wales)
• Founded: 1810 (incorporated by Royal Charter 1827)
• Charity Number: 270585

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 1033, Altrincham WA15 9WR

Email: info@artistsfuturesfund.org

Phone: 07950 111012

Website: www.artistsfuturesfund.org

Overview

Artists Futures Fund (formerly known as Artists' Benevolent Fund) is one of the UK's oldest arts charities, established in 1810 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1827. The charity changed its working name to Artists Futures Fund in 2024 to reflect its modern, dynamic approach to supporting emerging artists. With a total income of £109,400 (year ending October 2024), the fund has awarded over £500,000 to emerging artists since 2020. The fund's mission is to enrich and diversify the UK's cultural landscape by providing financial support, mentoring and networking opportunities for contemporary artists who face wide-ranging challenges including economic, social, cultural, and health barriers. Previous fellowship recipients have gone on to become some of the UK's most celebrated creatives, including Wayne McGregor, Ali Smith, Rufus Norris, Carol Morley, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye and Alice Birch.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Breakthrough Artist Fellowship: £10,000 unrestricted bursary

• £10,000 grant paid directly to the Fellow to support living costs, materials and other costs incurred during the Fellowship period
• Reasonable travel bursaries to attend in-person events
• Full-time access to studio space, resources and creative facilities (provided in-kind by partner Higher Education Institutions)
• Professional development programme including opportunity to co-curate an end-of-Fellowship group showcase
• Application method: Via partner Higher Education Institutions (not direct application)
• Timeline: Applications open May, deadline June, announcements Summer, Fellowship runs October-July (10 months)

Priority Areas

The fund specifically targets:

• Recent graduates (within two years) of BA or MA Visual Arts degrees from partner Higher Education Institutions
• Artists facing significant economic, social, cultural, physical or mental health barriers
• Artists demonstrating exceptional engagement, ambition and promise in their visual arts discipline
• Interdisciplinary artists working across mediums including sculpture, painting, performance, installation, and other visual arts forms
• Artists committed to being positive ambassadors for the growing community of Breakthrough Artist Fellows

Key Philosophy: “Difference and/or disadvantage of any form should never act as a barrier to creative development and artistic expression.”

What They Don't Fund

• Artists who are not recent graduates of partner Higher Education Institutions
• Artists undertaking other forms of study during the Fellowship period
• Artists without eligibility to live, study and work in the UK for the duration of the Fellowship
• Organizations (this is an individual artist fellowship only)

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by a Board of 8 Trustees who meet formally every three months. Trustees serve 3-year terms and receive no remuneration. The operational team consists of a Director and Operations Manager who work remotely and in partnership with co-delivery Programme Partners.

Recent Trustee Appointments (2024):

• Kate Rosser-Frost: Head of Communications and Engagement at DACS (Design and Artists Copyright Society), a not-for-profit organisation that manages the rights of artists to maximise their royalties
• Sophie Hussey: Appointed to strengthen board-level governance

The Board seeks trustees with expertise in visual arts administration, fundraising and philanthropy, publishing and creative industries, socially engaged arts practices, PR & communications, and income generation.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: You cannot apply directly to Artists Futures Fund. Breakthrough Artist Fellows are selected by their Higher Education Institution (HEI).

Application Process:

1. Check if your university is a partner institution for the current cycle
2. Access application forms through your university (five partner HEIs across Wales and England for 2024-25)
3. Your institution conducts the selection process
4. If your institution isn't currently a partner, ask your tutor to contact Artists Futures Fund to explore partnership opportunities

Confirmed Partner Institutions:

• University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Swansea College of Art)
• Four additional partner HEIs across Wales and England (contact the fund for current partners)

Decision Timeline

For 2025-26 Fellowships:

• Applications open: 16 May 2025
• Application deadline: 27 June 2025
• Artist Fellow announcements: Summer 2025
• Fellowship period: October 2025 - July 2026 (10 months)

Total timeline from application to decision: Approximately 2-3 months

Eligibility Requirements

• Completed a BA or MA Visual Arts degree within two years from a selected partner Higher Education Institution
• Full commitment to the Fellowship from early October to July (not participating in any other form of study)
• Eligible to live, study and work in the UK for the duration of the Fellowship, with suitable Visa as required

Success Rates

The fund awards fellowships to selected artists through their five partner institutions annually. Since 2018, the fund has supported more than 40 emerging artists with over £400,000 in grants. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed as applications are managed at institution level.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated on the fund's website. As applications are managed through partner institutions, unsuccessful applicants should consult with their university about reapplying in subsequent years.

Application Success Factors

What the Fund Looks For:

According to Artists Futures Fund, successful candidates must demonstrate:

• “Exceptional engagement, ambition and promise in their visual arts discipline”
• How the Fellowship will support them to overcome significant economic, social, cultural, physical or health barriers
• “Enthusiasm and commitment to be a positive ambassador for the growing community of Breakthrough Artist Fellows”

Impact Testimonials from Previous Fellows:

One fellowship recipient stated: “The Fellowship has allowed me to feel stable (in terms of finance and a creative space) enough to continue my practice to further pursue a career within the art world.”

A 2001 film directing fellow noted the award “had a real, profound impact” by providing “both security and confidence” and critically giving them “the opportunity to think” rather than being “forced to find another project.”

Key Success Factors:

1. Demonstrate barriers clearly: Articulate the specific economic, social, cultural, or health challenges you face and how they would prevent career advancement without support
2. Show artistic promise: Evidence of exceptional talent and potential in your visual arts practice
3. Articulate career vision: Clear sense of how the Fellowship will help you forge a sustainable career as a visual artist
4. Commitment to community: Willingness to engage with the Fellows network and represent the fund positively
5. Institutional support: Strong endorsement from your university is critical as they conduct the selection

Notable Alumni Success: The fund takes pride in supporting artists who become leading cultural figures, including Wayne McGregor (choreographer), Ali Smith (author), Rufus Norris (National Theatre director), Carol Morley (filmmaker), Lynette Yiadom-Boakye (artist), and Alice Birch (playwright).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Institution-based selection: You must apply through a partner Higher Education Institution, not directly to the fund - build relationships with your university's fine arts department
• Barrier-focused mission: The fund specifically exists to support artists facing significant barriers; clearly articulate your challenges and how they impact your career progression
• Unrestricted funding philosophy: The £10,000 grant is unrestricted, recognizing that emerging artists need flexibility to support living costs, materials, and other expenses
• Holistic support model: Beyond money, the fellowship provides studio space, mentoring, networking, and professional development - demonstrate readiness to engage fully
• Recent graduate focus: Must have graduated within two years with a BA or MA in Visual Arts from a partner institution
• Community ambassador role: Fellows are expected to be positive representatives of the programme and engage with the broader fellowship community
• 10-month commitment: Requires full-time dedication from October to July with no other study commitments - ensure you can commit before applying

References

• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/270585
• Artists Futures Fund Official Website: https://www.artistsfuturesfund.org
• Arts Professional: “New trustees join Artists Futures Fund”
• Association of Charitable Organisations: “Member Spotlight: Artists Futures Fund” https://www.aco.uk.net/news-blogs/member-spotlight-artists-futures-fund/
• University of Wales Trinity Saint David: “Breakthrough Opportunity for Emerging Artists at Swansea College of Art” https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/news/breakthrough-opportunity-emerging-artists-swansea-college-art
• Wikipedia: “Artists Futures Fund” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artists_Futures_Fund