Leeds Art Gallery
Leeds Art Gallery

What is Art Happens?

Art Happens is a crowdfunding platform that gives museums and audiences the power to bring ideas to life. 

  • Designed specifically for UK museums and galleries 

  • Helps you reach and engage with new audiences 

  • 100% of the funds raised go directly to your project 

  • We offer a range of resources to help you run a successful campaign

Art Happens campaigns

With the support of members and donors, since we launched the platform in 2014,we have helped museums and galleries run their own crowdfunding campaigns for a variety of projects across the UK.

Big Steam Print, Acton Depot, London
Big Steam Print, Acton Depot, London

What you will need

To run a crowdfunding campaign on Art Happens you must be a UK public museum, gallery, historic house, library or archive or a not-for-profit visual arts organisation with a public focus. You should have: 

  • An exciting arts project in mind that you think will have public appeal 

  • A clear idea of the amount you need to raise, and by when 

  • Some previous experience of fundraising 

  • Time and resources to run a crowdfunding campaign 

  • An engaged supporter base and online audience 

  • Full support from management and other stakeholders

How you can get started with Art Happens

01. Are you ready for crowdfunding?

Take our interactive quiz to find out if you are ready for crowdfunding

02. Talk to us about your project

Book a one-to-one with us to find out more about the platform and discuss your campaign ideas. Call bookings are unavailable as we are not currently accepting applications.

03. Attend a workshop

Once you’ve completed the quiz and spoken to us, book a place on our next workshop to learn everything you will need to know before submitting a proposal. Workshop bookings are unavailable as we are not currently accepting applications.

Art Happens FAQs

How much can I raise through Art Happens?
What’s the time frame for an Art Happens project?
What type of projects are Art Fund looking for?
How does Art Happens work and how much will we need to be involved?
What happens if we don’t raise the full amount?

Still have questions for our team?

We’re here to help