Art Fund

Art Fund. Founded in 1903, it is the United Kingdom's leading national charity dedicated to saving works of art for the public to enjoy. It provides grants to help museums and galleries acquire significant artworks, from Old Master paintings to contemporary pieces, and campaigns to keep important collections in the country. The organization is supported by its members, who receive benefits including free entry to many venues, and has been instrumental in securing thousands of treasures for public collections across the nation.

History

The charity was established in 1903 as the National Art Collections Fund by a group of private individuals led by Christian Allhusen, in response to concerns about important artworks being sold abroad. Its first major success came in 1905, helping the National Gallery acquire two paintings by J.M.W. Turner. Throughout the 20th century, it played a crucial role during periods of national crisis, aiding acquisitions during both World War I and World War II, and later helping to rescue the Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art. A significant milestone was its pivotal campaign in 1972 to save Leonardo da Vinci's "The Virgin of the Rocks" for the National Gallery. The organization was renamed Art Fund in 2005 to reflect its broader, modern mission.

Activities and impact

The core activity is providing grants and launching public appeals to enable museums to purchase artworks. It runs the annual Museum of the Year award, which celebrates innovation and excellence in the sector. A key membership benefit is the National Art Pass, which offers free or discounted entry to hundreds of museums, galleries, and historic houses across the UK, including the Royal Academy of Arts and Tate Modern. The charity also funds curatorial training and supports touring exhibitions, such as those organized by the Hayward Gallery. Its campaigns have directly influenced UK cultural policy, notably contributing to the establishment of the Acceptance in Lieu scheme and the work of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art.

Funding and governance

The organization is funded primarily through the subscriptions of its members, donations, and legacies. It also receives income from the National Art Pass and fundraising events. It is governed by a board of trustees, which has included notable figures from the art world such as former director of the National Portrait Gallery Charles Saumarez Smith. The charity's director is Jenny Waldman. Its financial operations are regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales, and it works in close partnership with major institutions like the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the National Museums Scotland.

Notable acquisitions and campaigns

The charity has been involved in thousands of acquisitions. In 2015, it helped the National Portrait Gallery acquire the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I. It led a major public campaign in 2012 to save the Wedgwood Collection for the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent. Other significant successes include helping the Ashmolean Museum acquire a drawing by Michelangelo, assisting the Fitzwilliam Museum with the purchase of a George Stubbs painting, and supporting the National Museum Cardiff in securing a work by Auguste Rodin. In 2019, it aided the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in acquiring a key piece by Barbara Hepworth.

Awards and recognition

The charity's most prominent award is the annual Museum of the Year prize, one of the largest museum awards in the world, with past winners including the St Fagans National Museum of History and the Horniman Museum and Gardens. It also presents the Buying Game award for curatorial teams. The organization itself has received widespread recognition for its impact on UK cultural heritage, with its campaigns often receiving high-profile support from figures such as David Hockney and Stephen Fry, and coverage in media outlets like The Guardian and BBC Radio 4's "Front Row".

Category:Arts charities based in the United Kingdom Category:Organisations based in London