The Holburne Museum
Open

Acquisition grants

These grants help museums and galleries purchase art for their collections.

Grants can range from a few hundred pounds, to hundreds of thousands. 

Through our acquisitions programme, we give grants totalling between £3m and £4m every year to help museums and galleries acquire art for their collections.

We believe that new acquisitions allow museums and galleries to interpret the world, spark debate and provide fresh entry points for audiences. 

We support the purchase of works of art and other objects of artistic interest dating from antiquity to the present day. We can also support the commission and acquisition of important new work, and we welcome proposals for exceptional projects with significant public impact. Applications for commissioned work are also considered as a part of our acquisitions programme.  

Grants can range from a few hundred pounds, to hundreds of thousands. 

Please contact us after reading the Guidance for applicants for further advice on your application.

What we can fund

  • Objects of national and international importance, including high- value items subject to temporary export licence deferral or being offered with tax remission 

  • Objects of significant regional interest judged to be of good museum quality 

  • Objects which will artistically enrich collections and support the expansion and development of new areas of collecting 

What we cannot fund  
  • Objects or materials which do not relate to visual arts 

  • Overhead costs for staff time, exhibition or installation costs 

  • Associated costs for engagement activities, public programmes or conservation

Who can apply

We will consider applications from UK public museums, galleries, historic houses, libraries and archives that are: 

  • open for at least half the week for at least six months of the year 

  • at least provisionally accredited under the Arts Council Accreditation Scheme 

For full eligibility details please see the Guidance for applicants.

Grants available

The following categories of grant are available through the acquisitions programme. 

Open

Main grants

Above £7,500

Grant requests of above £7,500 and/or where the total cost of the work is more than £15,000

Next application deadline: These applications are decided at each of our five trustees' meetings per year. Please get in touch with us for further information.

Decision by: A decision will be made within one week after the trustees’ meeting.

Application rounds: February, May, July, October and December

Open

Small grants

£7,500 or less

Grant requests of £7,500 or less where the total cost of the work is £15,000 or less

Next application deadline: We consider these applications on a rolling basis. There is no strict deadline.

Decision by: Approximately 6-8 weeks from date of submission

Open

Auctions

Any amount

Time-critical applications of any size for works coming up for sale at auction

Next application deadline: These applications are time-sensitive, so there is no strict deadline.

Decision by: Approximately 10 working days for auctions outside of London, 7 working days for auctions within London

Conditions

As an independent charity, we receive no government funding and are entirely supported by our members, who buy the National Art Pass, as well as by the generosity of many trusts, foundations and other individuals.

Please note this is an example card and not a reflection of the final product
Joining the National Art Pass network is completely free
  • Your own page on the Art Fund website
  • Marketing support and brand exposure
  • Access to free tools and resources, such as Art Tickets

On average our National Art Pass network members enjoy more visitors and additional revenue

What you give

Some of our grants come with specific terms and conditions, including free or reduced entry for National Art Pass members.

Please contact:

Whether or not you are successful in your grant application, you may be eligible to join the National Art Pass network. Join 850+ venues across the UK working towards a shared vision – to help museums and galleries do more.

Joining the National Art Pass network is completely free
  • Your own page on the Art Fund website
  • Marketing support and brand exposure
  • Access to free tools and resources, such as Art Tickets

On average our National Art Pass network members enjoy more visitors and additional revenue

What you give

Some of our grants come with specific terms and conditions, including free or reduced entry for National Art Pass members.

Please contact:

How to apply

Your application

Read the guidance

Download the Guidance for applicants which explains our criteria for funding, helps you apply for a grant and gives you guidance on filling out the application form.

Get in touch

If you haven’t found what you need in the Guidance for applicants, get in touch by setting up a call to discuss your application.

Submit your application

For application forms and to apply, please log in to your My Art Fund account, or create an account. You must be registered as a professional user. If you already have a My Art Fund account, but are not registered as a professional user, you can add your professional details when logged in.

After you've applied

Acknowledgement of application

We’ll inform you as soon as we have made a decision.

Claim your grant

If your application is successful, we will send you our offer paperwork with more details on how to claim your grant.

Follow-on relationship

After you’ve claimed your grant, and once you are a a member of the National Art Pass network, we’ll help you promote your venue and support you thanks to our expert teams.

Frequently asked questions

What does the acquisition grants programme support and who can apply
What do I need to include to support my application?
Do we need to bring the work of art to your decision meeting?
What if I don't have full provenance?
Is my organisation eligible to apply for an acquisitions grant?
Who I should ask for valuation advice?
Can you tell me more about special tax scheme and the export stopped process?
Can I apply more than once?
There's an auction coming up, can you fast-track my application?

Not sure if you are eligible or if you qualify?

We’re here to help