The Woven Foundation (THE I S A CHARITY)

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 326882
• Annual Income: £126,948 (FY 2024) - varies significantly by year
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £40,000+
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: England (Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland in separate rounds)
• Application Method: Mixed (open calls for specific programmes)

Contact Details

Address: 2 The Mansion, Northwick Park, Blockley, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9RJ

Website: www.wovenfoundation.org.uk

Email: info@wovenfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 01386 700731

Overview

The Woven Foundation is the current operating name for THE I S A CHARITY, founded over 40 years ago by the Paice Family. The foundation serves as an umbrella organisation that unifies the work of three previously separate entities: the ISA Charity, The Traverse Trust, and the Artisa Foundation. Registered as charity 326882, its stated purpose is “to build up a Trust Fund with a view to establishing a significant Charitable Foundation when sufficient funds are available.”

The foundation describes itself as “an incubator for new skills and opportunities” with diverse awards and initiatives supporting people to broaden their horizons and develop new paths for the future. The foundation makes grants to both individuals and organisations across education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science, and economic/community development. Their mission is to “weave together insights and experiences across a rich tapestry of sectors, creating a culture of enquiry and innovation that enables positive change in people and their communities.”

The foundation has recently consolidated its focus around curatorial development in the cultural sector, particularly museums, while maintaining its broader remit through its constituent programmes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Curatorial Fund - Three-tier structure:

1. Small Grants: Support individual career development opportunities such as travel or research sabbaticals. Amount not publicly specified.

1. Medium Grants: Enable partner museums and galleries to deliver projects that impact their communities and wider organisations. The Curatorial Development Fund specifically offers up to £40,000 over two years to regional museums in England or non-national London-based museums for independent curator placements.

1. Large Grants: Partner with strategic national organisations to fund programmes with sector-wide impact. Amounts not publicly specified.

The Exceptionals: Award-winning campaign (originally hosted by The Traverse Trust) that opens doors for employers to hire people with convictions. Focuses on employment and social inclusion.

Artisa Foundation Programmes: Support for those embarking on new stages in creative journeys, whether graduating from university or seeking mid-career challenges. Past programmes included the ACME Studio Award providing fully funded studio residencies in East London for emerging artists.

Priority Areas

• Curatorial development and museum sector innovation
• Creative and professional development in visual arts
• Career development for individuals with barriers to employment
• Cultural heritage and historic buildings preservation
• Education and training initiatives
• Arts/culture/heritage/science

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated.

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Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

• Richard Paice - Founder (Paice Family)
• Adriana Paice Kent - Director

Trustees: 4 trustees serving the charity, with backgrounds in design, art, and entrepreneurship. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Operating Model: The foundation evolved from family philanthropy, with the Paice Family establishing the original ISA Charity. The current structure brings together multiple charitable initiatives under one umbrella, leveraging decades of experience in supporting creative professionals and cultural institutions.

How to Apply to The Woven Foundation (the I S A Charity)

How to Apply

The Woven Foundation launches open calls for specific programmes, particularly their Curatorial Development Fund. Museums in England can apply when calls are open.

For their Curatorial Fund, they have launched open calls specifically for museums in England, with separate rounds planned for Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Contact the foundation at info@wovenfoundation.org.uk for information about current opportunities and application requirements.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The Curatorial Development Fund grants are structured over two years, suggesting a longer-term partnership approach rather than rapid turnaround.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: The foundation's consolidation under the Woven Foundation brand suggests a more focused approach. Current emphasis is clearly on curatorial development and museum sector innovation. Organisations working in these areas are most likely to be successful.

Demonstrated Impact Potential: According to Sharon Heal from the Museums Association (commenting on their curatorial fund): the programme aims to “support diverse talent coming into museums.” Projects that can demonstrate how they will drive diversity, innovation, and sector-wide impact are valued.

Organisational Capacity: Medium grants specifically “enable partner museums and galleries to deliver projects which impact their communities and wider organisation.” The foundation looks for organisations capable of delivering meaningful change beyond individual benefit.

Innovation and New Thinking: The foundation describes The Curatorial Fund as “a catalyst for new thinking and practice in the creative and cultural sector.” Projects that challenge conventions and bring fresh perspectives are prioritised.

Long-term Relationships: The evolution from a ten-year pilot programme to the current Curatorial Fund demonstrates the foundation's commitment to learning and iteration. They appear to value sustained partnerships over one-off grants.

Mission Language: The foundation emphasises “weaving together” diverse perspectives, creating “cultures of enquiry,” and enabling “positive change in people and their communities.” Organisations that speak this language of collaboration, learning, and community impact will resonate.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Watch for specific open calls - The foundation launches targeted calls particularly for their museum curatorial fund. Monitor their website and sector news outlets.

• Think sector-wide impact - Their three-tier model prioritises projects that create broader change, not just organisational benefit. Frame projects in terms of innovation and sector development.

• Emphasise diversity and new talent - Their stated aim is supporting diverse talent and creating new pathways. Projects facilitating this are central to their mission.

• Long-term partnership orientation - With two-year grants and evolution from decade-long pilots, this is not a funder seeking quick wins. They invest in sustained change.

• Focus on England first - Current programmes target English institutions, with separate rounds planned for other UK nations. Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish organisations should wait for relevant calls.

• Professional networks matter - Being known and respected within museum, arts, and cultural professional communities increases likelihood of success.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Ampersand Foundation
• The Freelands Foundation Limited
• The Linbury Trust
• Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund
• The Ruddock Foundation For The Arts
• The De Laszlo Foundation
• Drapers Charitable Fund
• Thriplow Charitable Trust
• The Rory And Elizabeth Brooks Foundation
• The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: The I S A Charity (326882) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=326882&subid=0

• The Woven Foundation website - https://wovenfoundation.org.uk/

• The Woven Foundation: The Curatorial Fund - https://wovenfoundation.org.uk/the-curatorial-fellowship/

• The Woven Foundation: About Us - https://wovenfoundation.org.uk/about-us/

• Museums Association: “In brief | The latest moves, projects and funding news” - https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2023/03/in-brief-the-latest-moves-projects-and-funding-news/

• Museum Development North West: “Funding Opportunity: Applications now open for the Woven Foundation” - https://museumdevelopmentnorthwest.wordpress.com/2023/02/20/funding-opportunity-applications-now-open-for-the-woven-foundation/

• Birmingham Museums Trust LinkedIn: Woven Foundation funding announcement (2023) - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/birminghammuseums_we-are-pleased-to-announce-that-the-woven-activity-7097165342690398208-w8UO

• Artisa Foundation: About Us - https://artisa.org.uk/About-Us-1

• Artisa Foundation: Past Awards - https://artisa.org.uk/Past-Awards-Menu