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: Invitation only/strategic partnerships

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

Alternative contact: r@richardpaice.com (Richard Paice, Founder)

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 organization 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 organizations 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 programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Curatorial Fund - Three-tier structure:

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

1. Medium Grants: Enable partner museums and galleries to deliver projects that impact their communities and wider organizations. 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 organizations to fund programs 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 Programs: Support for those embarking on new stages in creative journeys, whether graduating from university or seeking mid-career challenges. Past programs 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, but the foundation's strategic partnership model means they focus on organizations aligned with their mission in the cultural, creative, and social development sectors.

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Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

• Richard Paice - Founder (Paice Family)
• Adrianna Paice - Director
• Grace Iro Pappas - Programme Manager & Researcher

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.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The Woven Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

The foundation explicitly states: “Grants are issued through strategic partnerships with cultural institutions, collectives and groups, and unsolicited applications will not be considered.”

All funding is distributed through:

• Strategic partnerships with selected cultural institutions
• Invitation-only opportunities
• Pre-existing relationships with organizations in their focus sectors

The foundation proactively identifies and approaches organizations that align with their mission and strategic priorities. For their Curatorial Fund, they have launched open calls specifically for museums in England, with separate rounds planned for Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation doesn't accept unsolicited applications for most programs, they have occasionally opened specific calls for applications within defined parameters (e.g., their museum curatorial fund). Organizations interested in partnership should:

• Engage with their existing programs: Attend events or activities associated with their funded projects or partner organizations (Museum of the Home, Birmingham Museums Trust, etc.)

• Demonstrate alignment with mission: The foundation values “weaving together insights and experiences across sectors” and creating “cultures of enquiry and innovation.” Organizations embodying these principles may attract attention.

• Network within the museum and cultural sector: Given their focus on curatorial development, being active and visible within museum professional networks (Museums Association, AIM, etc.) may increase visibility.

• Monitor their website for open calls: The foundation has launched specific open calls (like their curatorial fund for English museums), so checking wovenfoundation.org.uk regularly for new opportunities is advisable.

• Connect through leadership: With identifiable leadership (Richard Paice, Adrianna Paice, Grace Iro Pappas), professional introductions through mutual contacts in the arts and cultural sector may be possible.

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. The strategic partnership model means traditional success rate metrics don't apply in the same way as open grant programs.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified. Given the invitation/partnership model, this would likely be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Application Success Factors

Given the strategic partnership approach, success factors differ from traditional grant applications:

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. Organizations working in these areas are most likely to be approached.

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

Organizational Capacity: Medium grants specifically “enable partner museums and galleries to deliver projects which impact their communities and wider organisation.” The foundation looks for organizations 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 prioritized.

Long-term Relationships: The evolution from a ten-year pilot program 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 emphasizes “weaving together” diverse perspectives, creating “cultures of enquiry,” and enabling “positive change in people and their communities.” Organizations that speak this language of collaboration, learning, and community impact will resonate.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Don't submit unsolicited applications - The foundation explicitly states they won't be considered. Focus instead on building visibility and relationships within relevant sectors.

• Watch for specific open calls - While most funding is by invitation, the foundation does occasionally launch targeted calls (like their museum curatorial fund). Monitor their website and sector news outlets.

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

• Emphasize 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 programs target English institutions, with separate rounds planned for other UK nations. Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish organizations should wait for relevant calls.

• Professional networks matter - Being known and respected within museum, arts, and cultural professional communities increases likelihood of being identified for partnership opportunities.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE AMPERSAND FOUNDATION
• The Freelands Foundation Limited
• The De Laszlo Foundation
• THE LINBURY TRUST
• THE MICHAEL BISHOP FOUNDATION
• Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund
• Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation
• The Victoria Wood Foundation
• The Mohn Westlake Foundation
• The Roddick 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