The Cosman Keller Art And Music Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £275,000 (approx.)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: By trustee invitation only
• Grant Range: Varies by program (institutional partnerships)
• Geographic Focus: UK-based institutions

Contact Details

Website: www.cosmankellertrust.org

Email: cosmankellertrust@gmail.com

Phone: 7593356976

Charity Number: 1200566

Important Note: Enquiries about specific scholarships should be directed to the relevant institution (e.g., Slade School of Fine Art, Royal Academy of Music, etc.), not to the Trust directly.

Overview

The Cosman Keller Art and Music Trust was established in 2006 by artist Milein Cosman (1921-2017), wife of musician and writer Hans Keller (1919-1985). With annual expenditure of approximately £275,000, the Trust advances art and music education through strategic partnerships with leading UK institutions. The Trust's mission encompasses three core objectives: supporting emerging musicians and artists through scholarships and fellowships; preserving and promoting the legacies of Milein Cosman and Hans Keller; and advancing public education in the fields of art and chamber music. The Trust converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and operates through carefully selected institutional partnerships rather than open grant applications. In 2021, the Trust marked Milein Cosman's centenary and the 150th anniversary of the Slade School of Fine Art with new scholarship initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates exclusively through institutional partnerships, funding specific named programs:

Hans Keller Music Programs:

• RAM Hans Keller Scholarship (Royal Academy of Music): Established 2013, one of the Academy's top awards for postgraduate students of any nationality
• Oxford Hans Keller String Quartet Residency: Supporting the Castalian String Quartet residency at Oxford University (2021-2027), including annual concert series, masterclasses, and education initiatives
• YCAT Hans Keller Artists: Long-term partnership since 2021 supporting a string quartet through Young Classical Artists Trust (currently the Fibonacci Quartet)
• YCAT Composer Fellowship: Annual fellowship in memory of Hans Keller supporting emerging composers
• Guildhall Hans Keller Fellowships: Supporting chamber music fellowships at Guildhall School of Music & Drama since 2021 (two-year appointments)

Milein Cosman Art Programs:

• Slade Milein Cosman Scholarship for Drawing: Launched 2021, supporting exceptional postgraduate students at the Slade School of Fine Art (UK residents)
• Slade Milein Cosman Lecture: Annual public lecture series on the art of drawing
• Milein Cosman Project Curatorship at the British Museum: Supporting curatorial work in the Department of Prints and Drawings

Additional Initiatives:

• Chamber Studio Hans Keller Forum: Supporting chamber music development
• Emergency grants to artists during crises (e.g., COVID-19 support to YCAT artists in 2020)

Priority Areas

• Chamber music and string quartets (reflecting Hans Keller's particular passion)
• Drawing and fine art (honouring Milein Cosman's artistic legacy)
• Postgraduate and early-career professional development
• UK-based arts and music education institutions
• Preservation and promotion of Hans Keller's and Milein Cosman's work
• Support for artists and musicians in financial need

What They Don't Fund

• Individual unsolicited applications from artists or musicians
• Organizations not already in partnership with the Trust
• Projects unrelated to art or music
• Undergraduate programs (focus is on postgraduate and professional development)
• International institutions (UK-focused partnerships)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Board of Trustees (meets at least four times annually in London):

• Alison Garnham (Chair): Former Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, with extensive background in social policy and welfare rights
• Andrew Mosely (Treasurer): Director and CFO of management consultancy Metapraxis
• Elizabeth Cooke (Secretary)
• James Cahill (Trustee)
• Donato Esposito (Trustee)
• Andrea Rauter (Trustee)

Patrons:

• Levon Chilingirian
• Ana Maria Pacheco

The Trust was founded with four original trustees appointed by Milein Cosman: Julian Hogg (who retired in 2021 after 15 years' service), Christopher Wintle (who retired in 2020 after 35 years' service to Hans Keller's legacy), Peter Black, and Andrew Cherniavsky.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Trust operates through invitation-only institutional partnerships.

For Individual Artists/Musicians:

• The Trust explicitly states: “The Trust is not able to accept unsolicited applications for funding from individuals”
• Individuals should apply through the Trust's partner institutions for specific named scholarships and fellowships
• Contact the relevant institution directly (e.g., Slade School of Fine Art for the Milein Cosman Scholarship, Royal Academy of Music for the Hans Keller Scholarship)

For Institutions:

• Institutional applications “will generally be by invitation of the trustees only”
• The Trust establishes strategic partnerships with leading arts and music education institutions
• Partnerships typically involve multi-year commitments (e.g., Oxford residency 2021-2027, Guildhall fellowships since 2021)

Decision Timeline

Not applicable for public applications. The Trust's trustees meet at least four times per year to oversee existing partnerships and consider new strategic initiatives.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this Trust operates by trustee invitation only, the following insights are based on their established funding patterns:

Strategic Alignment with Trust's Mission:

• Programs must clearly advance art or music education
• Strong preference for chamber music (especially string quartets) and drawing/fine art
• Connection to Hans Keller's or Milein Cosman's artistic values and areas of work

Institutional Prestige and Track Record:

• All current partnerships are with leading UK institutions: Slade School of Fine Art, Royal Academy of Music, Oxford University, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, YCAT, British Museum
• Institutions must have established reputations in their fields

Program Sustainability and Impact:

• The Trust favours multi-year commitments rather than one-off grants
• Programs should offer both direct support to individuals and broader educational/public benefit
• Evidence of public engagement (concerts, lectures, exhibitions) is valued

Named Program Recognition:

• All funded programs bear either the “Hans Keller” or “Milein Cosman” name, preserving the founders' legacies
• Programs should honour the artistic values and contributions of the Trust's founders

Support for Career Transitions:

• Particular focus on postgraduate students and early-career professionals
• Programs that bridge student training to professional practice (e.g., Chamber Fellowships)

Historical Connection:

• Hans Keller taught at Guildhall and was involved with YCAT's early years
• Milein Cosman studied at the Slade and was passionate about prints and drawings

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This Trust does not accept unsolicited applications from individuals or, generally, from organizations. Do not submit speculative funding requests.
• Institutional approach required: If your organization believes it aligns with the Trust's mission, building awareness through sector connections and demonstrating excellence in chamber music or fine art education may potentially lead to trustee-initiated contact.
• Named programs preserve legacy: All funding carries the “Hans Keller” or “Milein Cosman” name, indicating the Trust's commitment to honouring their founders' contributions to British cultural life.
• Multi-year strategic partnerships: The Trust favours sustained relationships with elite institutions rather than one-off grants, suggesting they seek deep impact rather than broad reach.
• Chamber music and drawing focus: Hans Keller's passion for string quartets and Milein Cosman's expertise in drawing are reflected throughout the Trust's portfolio.
• UK institutions only: All current partnerships are with UK-based organizations, indicating a national rather than international focus.
• Early-career support: The Trust specifically targets postgraduate students and emerging professionals at the critical transition point in their careers.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Laurence Modiano Charitable Trust
• Keyboard Charitable Trust for Young Professional Performers
• The Marandi Foundation
• Staples Trust
• The Polonsky Foundation
• The Fidelio Charitable Trust
• CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust
• The Hintze Family Charitable Foundation
• THE MILA CHARITABLE ORGANISATION
• THE ALBERT AND EUGENIE FROST MUSIC TRUST CIO

References

• The Cosman Keller Art & Music Trust official website: www.cosmankellertrust.org
• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities: Charity 1200566 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5206411
• Trust annual reports 2018-2024: https://www.cosmankellertrust.org/about-the-trust/annual-reports/
• “About The Trust” page: https://www.cosmankellertrust.org/about-the-trust/
• “The Story of the Trust”: https://www.cosmankellertrust.org/about-the-trust/the-story-of-the-trust/
• Personnel page: https://www.cosmankellertrust.org/about-the-trust/personnel/
• Contact page: https://www.cosmankellertrust.org/contact/
• Individual program pages for Hans Keller and Milein Cosman initiatives
• YCAT funding partners page: https://www.ycat.co.uk/faqs/funding-partners
• Oxford University Faculty of Music - Castalian String Quartet residency announcements
• Guildhall School of Music & Drama news releases on Hans Keller Fellows