Artists Futures Fund unveils refreshed identity and launches new Giving Circle to increase support for talented emerging artists facing pressing barriers.
Artists Futures Fund, formerly the Artists Benevolent Fund, heralds a new chapter in its longstanding commitment to supporting artists to overcome barriers and flourish professionally through annual Fellowships delivered in partnership with selected Higher Education Institutions.
Artists Futures Fund, an independent charity founded in 1810, is proud to announce a new era in its mission to offer transformative support for contemporary artists. Formerly known as the Artists Benevolent Fund, the charity has adopted a new working name and visual identity that reflect its dynamic and inclusive approach to supporting artists who face barriers to pursing creative careers. The charity’s updated name, mission, and five-year strategic plan emphasise its unwavering commitment to nurturing diverse talent and fostering artistic development.
The arts sector is imperilled by deep public funding cuts across the UK. Individual artists must confront widespread studio rent increases amidst a cost-of-living crisis. As the organisation enters its third century, the Artists Futures Fund is expanding its efforts to help promising emerging artists overcome a range of pressing economic, social, cultural, and health challenges.
The charity’s annual Fellowship programme, delivered in partnership with Higher Education Institutions and key cultural organisations across the UK offers emerging artists vital financial support, professional development opportunities, and the resources needed to advance their careers as artists and designers. Since 2018, the Fund has awarded over £400,000 to more than 40 emerging artists, helping them pursue sustainable and thriving creative careers.
A Vision for the Future At the heart of this transformation is a vision to enrich and diversify the UK’s cultural landscape by making artistic careers accessible to a wider pool of individuals. As part of this, the Artists Futures Fund believes that differences—be they economic, social, or cultural—should never prevent talented artists from realising their full potential. In line with the levelling up agenda, the Fund aims to empower emerging artists living in cities across the UK to share their unique perspectives and continue to enrich the broader cultural conversation.
Scaling Up for Greater Impact In response to sector-wide research on the challenges and inequalities within the visual arts and Higher Education sectors, the charity has set ambitious goals for the next five years to expand and grow its impact. By increasing its grant activities and broadening its partnerships and support network, the Artists Futures Fund plans to provide even more emerging artists with the financial backing, mentoring, and networking opportunities they need to succeed.
“Our mission is clear: to help emerging artists thrive and ensure that our cultural landscape reflects a rich diversity of voices and experiences.” Olivia Mason, Artists Futures Fund Director.
Testimonials from Artists Fellows who have benefited from the charity’s Fellowship programme have shared the profound impact it has had on their careers.
Joshua Donkor, a painter and 2020–2021 Fellow at Cardiff School of Art and Design, described his experience as transformative: “This last year has been so far beyond my wildest expectations.”
Sarah Kirk, a ceramicist and 2021-2022 Fellow at Liverpool Hope University reflected that: “I had the freedom to research, to experiment, and to push the boundaries of what I could do without financial worry.”
Jo Flint, artist academic and 2022-23 Fellow at Loughborough University, said “The Fellowship has not only granted me the time to flourish as an artist but to also grow my network within the Fine Art and academic field. The benefits awarded to me from the privilege of undertaking the Fellowship will be everlasting as I continue my career as an artist.”
About Artists Futures Fund
Founded in 1810, and granted a Royal Charter in 1827, the Artists Futures Fund (formerly the Artists Benevolent Fund) has a rich history of supporting artists and their families. Today, by offering financial support, mentoring, and professional development opportunities, the charity empowers contemporary artists facing various challenges to pursue sustainable careers.
The Breakthrough Artist Fellowship, the Fund’s current grant programme, supports emerging artists in the transitional period between completing visual arts degrees and embarking on a professional career as an artist or designer. Breakthrough Artist Fellows are awarded an unrestricted bursary and are equipped with the resources, studio space and tools needed to advance their careers. The Fellowship is delivered annually in partnership with selected Higher Education Institutions and cultural organisations, running from October 2024 - October 2025.
Artists Futures Fund Giving Circle
Philanthropists and charitable organisations are invited to join the Artists Futures Fund Giving Circle, a community of supporters dedicated to fostering creativity in the UK. The Artists Futures Fund Giving Circle has been set up to help the charity expand its support for emerging artists and achieve its ambitious goals across the next five years. By contributing to the Fund, Giving Circle members will directly help talented artists overcome barriers and develop their careers, ultimately enriching the UK’s cultural heritage.
For more information about how to join our Giving Circle, or how to leave a gift in your will to help new cohorts of contemporary artists who are facing socio-economic and health challenges, please contact Olivia Mason, AFF Director: olivia@artistsfuturesfund.org.
Media enquiries: info@artistsfuturesfund.org