East Anglia Art Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £101,131 (FY ending January 2025)
• Grant Range: Up to £1,000 for exhibitions/education; £2,500 for scholarships
• Decision Time: 2-3 months (applications reviewed at bi-annual meetings)
• Geographic Focus: East Anglia (Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire)
• Registered Charity: 1014349
• Application Schedule: Fixed deadlines (January 31 and August 31)

Contact Details

Address: Shirehall House, Market Avenue, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 3JQ

Phone: +44 1603 493668

Website: www.eastangliaartfund.org.uk

Grant Applications: Amanda Geitner, Director

Pre-application Contact: The Fund welcomes discussion of projects prior to formal application

Overview

Established in 1991 and evolving from the “Tate in East Anglia” project, the East Anglia Art Fund (EAAF) is a Norwich-based charity dedicated to enriching cultural life in the region by supporting excellence in exhibitions and art education. With over 600 members and led by Chair Sir Nicholas Lyons, the organization operates with an annual income of approximately £101,000. The Fund's founding grew from conversations between Sir Nicholas Serota and Sir Timothy Colman, establishing collaborations with Tate collections that continue to influence their strategic approach. EAAF's mission encompasses four key objectives: increasing understanding and enjoyment of painting and sculpture, helping create an arts programme of national significance in Norwich, ensuring financial security for collection exhibitions at Norwich Castle Galleries, and supporting young people through education projects including workshops for primary school children from deprived areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Exhibition Grants (up to £1,000)

• Support for visual art exhibitions across East Anglia
• Contemporary group exhibitions or historic exhibitions primarily supported
• Application via downloadable forms, reviewed at bi-annual meetings
• Fixed deadlines: January 31 (March meeting) and August 31 (October meeting)

Art Education Initiatives (up to £1,000)

• Projects involving artists working with young people
• A-Level Master Classes
• Art workshops particularly those targeting primary school children from deprived areas of Norwich

University Scholarships (£2,500 each)

• Fred Dubery Scholarship for Fine Art or Illustration students
• Joanne Brogden Scholarship for Fashion or Textiles students
• Both awarded annually at Norwich University of the Arts

Priority Areas

What They Fund:

• Contemporary group exhibitions demonstrating quality and regional significance
• Historic exhibitions bringing important art to the region
• Exhibition opportunities for living regional artists
• Art education projects with demonstrable impact on young people
• Projects at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery and other East Anglia venues
• Initiatives that advance the understanding and enjoyment of painting and sculpture

Geographic Focus:

East Anglia region including Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. Recent funded venues include Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, GroundWork Gallery (King's Lynn), The Art Station (Saxmundham, Suffolk), The Minories (Colchester), and other regional galleries.

What They Don't Fund

Explicitly Stated Exclusions:

• Solo shows of recent work (rarely supported)

Implied Limitations:

• Projects outside the East Anglia region
• Non-visual art disciplines
• Projects not demonstrating quality or regional cultural significance
• Operational costs or general organizational funding

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Chair: Sir Nicholas Lyons (also serves as Alderman in the City of London, NED at Convex Group Limited, and Board Member of the Barbican)

Trustees:

• James Colman
• Charlotte Crawley
• Nichola Johnson
• Susan Jack
• Merlin Waterson

President: Sir Richard Jewson

Note: No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Executive Team

Director: Amanda Geitner (appointed autumn 2015, succeeding Charlotte Crawley)

• Background: Studied Art History and Literature at University of Western Australia; former Chief Curator at Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, UEA; currently pursuing PhD by practice on 'Roger Ackling: Work and Teaching' with Norwich University of the Arts

Administrator: Emma Hazell

• Background: Studied History at University of Sussex; MA in local and regional History from UEA; extensive experience in Norfolk arts sector

Treasurer: Robert Collin

Key Quote from Leadership:

Amanda Geitner on the scholarship programme: “It has been an honour and a delight to get to know the remarkable young artists who have been the recipients of the very first scholarship awards.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Requirements:

1. Review “Advice for Applicants” document (available on website)
2. Complete EAAF Grant Application Form (downloadable from grants page)
3. Submit application to Amanda Geitner, Director

Application Deadlines:

• January 31 for consideration at March Executive Committee meeting
• August 31 for consideration at October Executive Committee meeting

Pre-Application Guidance:

The Fund explicitly states: “We would welcome a discussion of your project prior to your application.” Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Director before submitting formal applications.

Review Process:

The Executive Committee meets twice annually (March and October) to review applications and make funding decisions.

Decision Timeline

Typical Timeline:

• Applications submitted by January 31 are reviewed in March (approximately 6-8 weeks)
• Applications submitted by August 31 are reviewed in October (approximately 6-8 weeks)

Notification:

Applicants can expect to hear decisions following the relevant committee meeting, though specific notification timelines are not published.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Fund operates with an annual income of approximately £101,000 and awards grants of up to £1,000 each, suggesting they likely support between 10-20 exhibition/education projects annually alongside their scholarship programme.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Given the bi-annual review cycle, unsuccessful applicants could theoretically reapply for the next deadline if their project timeline allows.

Application Success Factors

Funder-Specific Priorities

Exhibition Quality and Significance:

The Fund emphasizes supporting “the best in exhibitions and art education” and helping create “an arts programme of national significance in Norwich.” Applications should demonstrate how the exhibition or project meets high quality standards and contributes to the regional cultural landscape.

Preference for Group and Historic Exhibitions:

EAAF explicitly states that grants “are usually contemporary group or historic exhibitions” and that “solo shows of recent work are rarely supported.” This reflects a strategic preference for exhibitions that bring multiple perspectives or significant historical context to audiences.

Regional Artist Support:

One of EAAF's stated aims is “encouraging living artists by providing exhibition and teaching opportunities.” Applications that create opportunities for regional artists to exhibit or teach are strongly aligned with their mission.

Educational Impact:

Projects involving artists working with young people, particularly those targeting children from deprived areas, align directly with the Fund's charitable objectives. Clear articulation of educational outcomes strengthens applications.

Connection to Norwich Castle:

Given EAAF's specific aim of “fundraising to ensure financial security for collection exhibitions at Norwich Castle Galleries,” projects at this venue or that complement its programming may receive favorable consideration.

Recent Funded Projects

Recent EAAF-supported exhibitions include:

• Amartey Golding: Britannia (Norwich Castle, 2023-2024)
• Daniel & Clara: The Lost Estate (Norwich Castle, 2023)
• SUNLIGHT: Roger Ackling (Norwich Castle, May-September 2024)
• Fluid Earth (GroundWork Gallery, King's Lynn, 2025)
• LAND (The Art Station, Saxmundham, Suffolk, 2025)
• MALCA SCHOTTEN & BARBARA LAWS: Pictures from an Exhibition (The Minories, Colchester, 2025)

Strategic Approach

Pre-Application Discussion:

EAAF's explicit invitation to “discuss your project prior to your application” is significant. Taking advantage of this opportunity allows applicants to gauge fit, refine their approach, and demonstrate commitment.

Viewing the Archive:

The Fund encourages applicants to “view a record of projects we have supported in our Exhibitions Archive.” Reviewing past funded projects helps applicants understand the quality bar and types of projects that succeed.

Membership Model:

EAAF operates through a membership model with approximately 600 members plus patrons who contribute at higher levels. Understanding that the Fund's resources come from art lovers invested in regional cultural development helps frame applications in terms of value to the community.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Prioritize group and historic exhibitions over solo contemporary shows - this is explicitly stated as their preference and rarely make exceptions
• Engage in pre-application dialogue - the Fund welcomes early-stage discussion, which can significantly strengthen your application and demonstrate commitment
• Emphasize regional significance - show how your project contributes to East Anglia's cultural landscape and advances arts of national significance in the region
• Review their exhibition archive - understanding what they've previously funded provides crucial insight into quality expectations and project types
• Plan around fixed deadlines - with only two review cycles per year (March and October), missed deadlines mean 6-month delays
• Consider educational components - projects involving artists working with young people, particularly from deprived areas, align strongly with their charitable objectives
• Demonstrate quality and ambition - EAAF seeks to support “the best in exhibitions and art education”; applications should reflect high standards and clear cultural value

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Leche Trust
• THE HEADLEY TRUST
• The Freelands Foundation Limited
• The Biscuit Factory Foundation
• The Foundation Foundation
• The Company of Arts Scholars Charitable Trust
• The Idlewild Trust
• Educational Foundation of Alderman John Norman
• The Golsoncott Foundation
• Granada Foundation

References

• East Anglia Art Fund official website: https://www.eastangliaartfund.org.uk/
• EAAF Grants page: https://www.eastangliaartfund.org.uk/grants
• EAAF Team page: https://www.eastangliaartfund.org.uk/about/the-eaaf-team
• EAAF Aims and History: https://www.eastangliaartfund.org.uk/about/our-aims-history-collection
• UK Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1014349
• EAAF Exhibitions Archive: https://www.eastangliaartfund.org.uk/exhibitions/exhibitions-archive
• Autograph ABP: Amartey Golding: Britannia exhibition information