Funded by Biffa Award with support from the Landfill Communities Fund, the AIM Biffa Award ‘History Makers – People who shaped our world’ programme has just concluded Round 3 of funding with Round 4 to open for expressions of interest on 18 July.
The programme has so far seen 14 AIM member museums across England benefit from grants of up to £90,000 to help them create new exhibitions that will inspire the public through the lives and achievements of extraordinary, historical figures.
A new website showcasing all ‘History Makers’ acts as a resource for young people studying STEAM subjects.
If you are considering applying for a ‘History Makers’ grant, take a look at the projects we have funded so far for some inspiration!
Update July 2020: Round 4 applications will be announced shortly, with Round 5 likely to be launched in the Autumn. Sign up to AIM’s eNews to receive the latest news on all grant programmes, and follow us on Twitter.
Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust
Project: Hawkshaw and Barlow Untold
Project aim: To raise awareness of the lives and achievements of engineers Sir John Hawkshaw and William H Barlow through a new interactive exhibition at the Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre.
Grant awarded: £24,631.00
London Transport Museum
Project: Digging Deeper
Project aim: Through James Henry Greathead’s story we will explore the engineering innovations which made travelling deep under London possible and, as Crossrail begins operation, highlight Greathead’s continuing influence around the world.
Grant awarded: £72,530.00
National Justice Museum
Project: The Father of Modern Forensics: An Exhibition Celebrating the Life and Work of Sir Bernard Spilsbury
Project aim: Enable children and young people to learn about the life and achievements of Sir Bernard Spilsbury; to inspire interest and further study in forensic science.
Grant awarded: £72,757.00
Milton Keynes Museum
Project: Milton Keynes Museum Expansion Project
Project aim: To celebrate the achievements and vision of the city’s ‘founding father’ Jock Campbell and inspire visitors to consider how their own choices can bring about change.
Grant awarded: £72,900.00
Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum
Project: Harry Baker and 120 years of Chlorine
Project aim: To create a Gallery to celebrate the globally important achievements of local scientific history maker, Harry Baker, and to inspire local people to believe they can pursue successful STEM careers.
Grant awarded: £36,159.00
Hitchin British Schools Trust
Project: Joseph Lancaster’s Educational Revolution
Project aim: To make the remarkable story and lasting legacy of Joseph Lancaster accessible to more people and use it to inspire people about the transformative potential of education.
Grant awarded: £54,525.00
National Paralympic Heritage Trust
Project: Science Pioneering the Paralympic Games – Dr Ludwig Guttmann, Doctor, Psychologist, Engineer
Project aim: Development of a heritage centre with the local community that celebrates the extraordinary achievements of Dr Guttmann, inspiring local facility users and visitors.
Grant awarded: £75,000.00
National Tramway Museum
Project: Holroyd Smith – Electrifying the Future
Project aim: To explore the life, inspiration and motivation behind the works of Michael Holroyd Smith and to inspire the next generation with his imaginative and persistent approach to problem-solving.
Grant awarded: £74,500.00
National Coal Mining Museum for England
Project: The Illumination Gallery Sir Humphry Davy (1778 – 1829)
Project aim: To illuminate those history makers who shaped the development of underground lighting and to ignite STEAM learning using the Museum’s collections to tell this inspirational story
Grant awarded: £81,989.62
Chatsworth House Trust
Project: Experiments, Innovation and Design: How the Paxtons Grew the Chatsworth Garden. Joseph & Sarah Paxton
Project aim: Through the inspirational work of Joseph and Sarah Paxton, visitors will discover, explore and understand the scientific and engineering marvel that is the Chatsworth Garden.
Grant awarded: £68,530.00
The Cromwell Museum
Project: Cromwell Uncovered
Project aim: To reinterpret and refurbish the Cromwell Museum gallery, bringing to life the story of Oliver Cromwell to the widest possible audience, showcasing an internationally important collection in an engaging way.
Grant awarded: £85,530.00
People’s History Museum (National Museum of Labour History)
Project: Annie Besant & Jayaben Desai: History Makers on Strike
Project aim: To raise awareness of the stories of Annie Besant and the Match Girls Strike (1888) and Jayaben Desai and the Grunwick Strike (1976-1978) through displays and immersive digital experiences in the permanent galleries at People’s History Museum.
Grant awarded: £67,533.00
Commonwealth War Graves Foundation
Project: Noor lnayat Khan: A Woman of Conspicuous Courage
Project aim: Drive engagement with the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial through the story of Noor lnayat Khan, a Second World War agent and the most highly decorated Muslim woman in British Military history.
Grant awarded: £59,996.00
Port Sunlight Village Trust
Project: Soap & Water: Revealing William Lever’s remarkable achievements and enduring legacy
Project aim: Through innovative interpretation, creativity and co-production, we will engage and inspire children and young people by using the STEM subjects as a lens through which to explore William Lever’s impact and legacy
Grant awarded: £78,430.00
Since 1997, Biffa Award has awarded grants totalling more than £175million to thousands of worthwhile community and environmental projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The programme administers money donated by Biffa Group Ltd through the Landfill Communities Fund. www.biffa-award.org
The Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) is an innovative tax credit scheme enabling operators (LOs) to contribute money to organisations enrolled with ENTRUST as Environmental Bodies (EBs). EBs use this funding for a wide range of community and environmental projects in the vicinity of landfill sites. LOs are able to claim a credit (currently 4.2%) against their landfill tax liability for 90% of the contributions they make. Since its inception in 1996, over £1.4 billion has been spent on more than 51,000 projects across the UK. For further information please visit www.entrust.org.uk or see HMRC’s general guide to landfill tax.
