FUNDING: Arts-based Learning Fund, Paul Hamlyn Foundation – rolling fund

This Fund supports work which enables pupils in formal education settings, particularly those experiencing systemic inequality or disadvantage, to thrive through engagement with high quality, arts-based learning.

Not for profit organisations and charities that are working with schools, colleges and other formal education settings can apply for grants of between £30,000 and £400,000 to enhance the lives, development and achievements of children and young people through high quality arts-based learning activities.

The Foundation’s definition of arts-based learning is learning experiences which incorporate arts-based content, and/or use arts-based approaches to secure access to or enhance engagement with the curriculum.

The majority of awards are in the region of £150,000 to £250,000 for projects lasting two to three years.

They are particularly interested in applications with a focus on the following areas:

  • support for pupils who experience systemic disadvantage to access and make progress in their learning
  • creating more opportunities for high quality arts-based teaching and learning in education settings, especially in those which have not had this work in the past
  • exploring the role of arts-based learning in addressing issues of inclusion, especially racism, in education
  • effective practice in digital and blended arts-based teaching and learning
  • enabling arts-based learning to be embedded in curricula and practice for the long-term.

All applicants must be working in partnership with schools or other formal education settings.

The application process is a two or three-step process and the Foundation can provide pre-application Access Support and a bursaries of up to £500 to help with applications.

For full details, visit the Paul Hamlyn Foundation website.