©National Museums Liverpool

We are delighted to announce the recipients of the new GEM Arts Scholars Enriching Lives Grant Programme, made possible through the generous support of the Company of Arts Scholars Charitable Trust.

Ten museums and heritage organisations across the UK have been awarded funding from the £40,950 total grant fund. Each recipient will receive up to £4,500, payable in three annual instalments, with the first payment to be distributed in March/April 2025.

The successful organisations are:

  • MonLife Heritage Learning
  • Haworth Art Gallery
  • Gallery Oldham
  • Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery
  • Temple Newsam House
  • Dr Jenner House
  • Reading University Art Collection
  • Quaker Tapestry
  • Bradford Museums & Galleries

This new grant programme supports learning projects inspired by fine, decorative and applied art collections, enabling museums and heritage organisations to enrich the cultural lives of primary and secondary school pupils through hands-on experiences with works of fine and decorative arts.

Rachel Tranter, GEM Director:

“We are thrilled to announce the cohort of recipients for the GEM Arts Scholars Enriching Lives Grant Programme. These diverse museums and heritage organisations presented compelling projects that will connect young audiences with creativity, culture and history. This initiative represents our shared commitment with the Arts Scholars to make heritage learning more accessible and to inspire the next generation of arts enthusiasts.”

Hillary Bauer, Chair of The Company of Arts Scholars Charitable Trust:

“We are delighted to have partnered with the GEM to identify organisations that will be able to encourage children to explore the decorative arts, especially through hands-on experience.   We are indebted to our members who donate these charitable funds, which through this partnership will go towards supporting one of our key objectives.”

All grant recipients are UK-based, institutional members of GEM and registered charities or local authorities with an annual turnover of £300,000 or less.

The funded projects span a wide range of artistic disciplines including painting, sculpture, drawing, design, ceramics, textiles and metalwork, reflecting the rich diversity of fine and decorative arts collections across the UK.