Funded by the Pilgrim Trust and The Julia Rausing Trust and launched in December 2024, the AIM Museum Fundamentals grant was designed to respond to the varied needs of many of our members.
It combines the valued collections care and conservation funding supported by the Pilgrim Trust with new funding from The Julia Rausing Trust meaning applicants can apply for up to £20,000 for funding to undertake a collections-based project.
From speaking with our members, we were acutely aware that funding to undertake ‘back of house’ museum activity was difficult to come by. The eligible activity areas have thus been designed to provide scope for developing a project under: collections care, conservation, documentation, physical and intellectual access, and raising capacity. This funding also provides time with a specialist mentor to help guide you through your project and offer specialist advice.
AIM’s Programme and Grants Officer, Fiona Woolley said
“The inaugural spring round was incredibly popular. We were delighted to receive 95 expressions of interest from which the panel selected fifteen projects to move forward to the second stage. It was wonderful to see the ambition of smaller members and to hear the passion and need for the projects to take place from those taken through to the second stage.”
Successful round 1 projects
The following projects received grants from the circa £130,000 available:
The Long Shop Museum £14,000
Redesign and redisplay of ‘Made in Leiston’ gallery.
The design and content of the new exhibition is based on audience research conducted over the last two seasons. The new displays will focus on unlocking the social history of the town and the people who lived and worked there over a 250-year span, and on technological change.
The Dacorum Heritage Trust Ltd £15,000 + Mentor
Collection care and workspace creation for the Ovaltine collection.
To aim to improve the storage and conditions of the art and advertising of Ovaltine. This unique collection depicts the evolution of the branding and marketing of Ovaltine. The Ovaltine Collection consists of 11,160 items (8.5% of the collection held at Dacorum Heritage).
Dr Jenner’s House and Garden £8,608 + Mentor
Collections audit, training, equipment, and database update.
This project is a key steppingstone in the restoration of the House and the longer-term strategic aims of the Trust as they work with international partners towards a global celebration of the eradication of Smallpox.
Edinburgh Printmakers £13,000 + Mentor
Development of collections management system, plus collection re-housing
This project will fund further steps towards museum accreditation and includes the rehousing of their permanent collection into ICON standard archival storage through funding the purchase of storage materials, the initiation and one year of subscription to a Collection Management System, and the funding of staff to undertake these two major transitions.
Shropshire Regimental Museum Trust £904
Remedial conservation work to Major Joan Cooke’s RACO mess dress and purse
This project compliments the museum’s Audience Development Plan which aims to broaden both their audience demographic and the depth of their engagement. Uniforms comprise a popular part of the displays and this significant addition will enable them to extend the scope of these displays together with the opportunity to enrich their Soldier Stories.
Wycombe Museum £18,669.44 + Mentor
Securing the Future of Wycombe Museum’s Collection.
The primary aim of this project is to ensure the proper care and management of the museum’s nationally significant Chair collection by moving it from an unsuitable and deteriorating storage facility to a new, purpose-built space. This has been a long-standing ambition of the museum.
Museum of Policing in Devon & Cornwall £4,000 + Mentor
Phase 1 Inventory Project
To undertake an inventory, by location, of 20% of the collection by spring 2026. As part of this each object’s primary information will be checked and updated if needed. Location, packing and labeling will be checked and improved where required. Fresh, high quality digital images will be taken, and a condition report completed.
Museum of Army Music £11,437.24
Understanding the Heritage of Army Museum – A significance project.
The museum represents every British Army Regimental and Corps band from 1600s-present. This means representing multiple band histories over hundreds of years. The project will identify gaps in the tangible collection and retrospectively collect intangible information for the current holdings.
Museum of Cornish Life £15,000
Glass conservation and engagement project.
This project builds on a track record of making collections care and management a source for public pride and interest in the museum.
Congleton Museum Trust £9,538.43 + Mentor
From archive to access: Securing & sharing Congleton’s heritage.
The aim of the project is to bring Congleton Museum’s collection work to a new level of digital maturity. The team want to make the collection not only better preserved and managed, but also accessible, open to research, reinterpretation, and participation.
Clyne Heritage Society/ Brora Museum £9,485.80
Improving collections care at Brora Heritage.
Until around 12 months ago, the Society was a small, volunteer-led and run organisation. It succeeded in raising c.£4 million pounds to renovate a derelict school and transform it into a museum scheduled to open in summer 2025. The goal of the project is to enhance the care and storage of objects by providing museum-grade enclosures for all stored items and to implement environmental monitoring in both storage and display areas.
Elgin Museum £10,800 + Mentor
Conserving the Spey Coracle.
The Spey Coracle has been on display at Elgin Museum since at least 1868. It likely dates from the 18th Century or possibly earlier. Made of wicker, animal hide, horsehair, wood and metal, it is now showing its age. The museum wants to prevent further deterioration and conserve the boat so that it can continue to be enjoyed as a key part of the museum’s collection.
Interested in the next round?
If you are considering applying to the autumn round, there is a training event running on 2 July from 11am-12:30pm where you can find out further information.
Members are also welcome to book a 1-2-1 meeting to discuss their proposal with our Programmes and Grants Officer Fiona Woolley, who can be contacted directly on [email protected].
Expressions of interest are welcome until Friday 8 August 2025.
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