Museum Fundamentals combines the existing invaluable collections care and conservation support from the Pilgrim Trust with new funding from the Julia Rausing Trust. The new grant will allow small and medium sized museums to create projects based on their collection needs, which improve knowledge, care and access to our nation’s heritage.
Closing date for expression of interest: 5pm Friday 7 February 2025
Grant award: Up to £20,000
Closing date: Spring: 5pm Friday 7 February 2025 – Expression of Interest Form (EOI) / 5pm Friday 28 March 2025 – Full application
Autumn: 5pm Friday 8 August 2025 – Expression of Interest Form (EOI) / 5pm Friday 26 September 2025 – Full application
Museums use their collections to tell stories and connect with visitors: to discover meaning behind objects and heritage, educate, entertain, inform and inspire. To do this they must know what is in their collection to see what stories they can tell and to have well-looked-after objects they can research, conserve, interpret and display. Museum Fundamentals will support small and medium sized museums with these core activities. Enabling them to care for collections more effectively and efficiently and to meet the standards required for Accreditation. Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to work with mentors to help guide and support them to deliver their project successfully.
Eligibility criteria
- Be an AIM member
- Be a UK registered charity or,
- An organisation with exempt charitable status or,
- A recognised public body i.e., Local Authority Museum
- Be a small or medium museum
- Have fewer than 50,000 visitors per annum
- Own the collections that are the focus of the project.