New Art Fund grants for Subject Specialist Networks and curatorial networks

Vincenzo Catena, St Jerome in his Study, probably about 1510 © The National Gallery, London

Art Fund’s curatorial network grants provide funding to support Subject Specialist Networks (SSNs) and other curatorial networks in sharing expertise across the museum sector, for the benefit of collections and audiences. The grants aim to help develop and expand network activities; develop and share knowledge and skills relating to subject-specialisms, professional skills and public engagement; collaborate with each other and with museum audiences; innovate, test new ideas and share their findings; and create tangible public outcomes.

The grants are available to support, for example:

• workshops, seminars and conferences that document and highlight new research into a collection

• toolkits, case studies and dynamic resources that enable museums to better use and interpret their collections for a wide public, or curators to function within their roles

• development opportunities that improve specialist knowledge and professional skills, and so help influence and benefit public programmes

• advice, training or mentoring to support new routes into the curatorial sector, or to encourage curators to act as advocates for their institutions, collections and subject specialisms

• testing and exploring new/pilot networks

The programme is open to SSNs and other curatorial networks, both formal and informal – either independently or in partnership. ‘Curatorial networks’ are defined as professional communities which share interests in curatorial specialisms, collections and/or exhibition-based practices. Networks can be established or emerging, but must have a mission statement and/or clear long-term objectives.

There are specific deadlines for large grants over £5,000. Smaller grants up to £5,000 can be awarded throughout the year.

Further information on eligibility and how to apply can be found here.