Jerwood Foundation sets out funding plans for merger with Jerwood Charity

Jerwood Foundation has set out funding plans for the merger with Jerwood Charity (Jerwood Arts), which is now confirmed to take effect from 1st January 2024.

The Foundation, which has been supporting the arts since 1977, has completed the formalities of merging Jerwood Charity into the Foundation, the news of which was first announced in July. The merger aims to create a single future-facing UK charitable foundation that is "relevant for the political, social, and financial climate of the 21st century".

Up to £2m of grants will be awarded each year, with arts organisations of all kinds able to apply for funding. The first round of grants will be awarded in April 2024. Applications can be submitted through the Jerwood Foundation website and will close on 1st March 2024.

Current projects funded by Jerwood include the Glyndebourne Jerwood Pit Perfect scheme, supporting recently graduated orchestral instrumentalists, the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards 5 and the Jerwood Assistant Director Scheme at the Young Vic and Persona Arts, for their production of The Flying Dutchman in Birmingham. Jerwood also owns and manages the Jerwood Collection of modern and contemporary art, with works from the Collection now showing in Dream and Refuge at Arnolfini in Bristol in collaboration with UWE Bristol’s MA Curating Programme.

Rupert Tyler has been appointed chairman of the merged Jerwood boards, bringing experience from his former role as the chairman of Jerwood Charity. Lara Wardle, the executive director of the Jerwood Foundation, leads the organisation and management. Alan Grieve CBE, who has been chairman of Jerwood Foundation during the last 30 years, remains a trustee of Jerwood Foundation and chairman emeritus.

Tyle said: "I’m honoured to become chairman of the newly merged Jerwood Foundation and to work with the trustees and executive team at this exciting and challenging time in Jerwood’s history. I’m looking forward to being able to increase support directly to our excellent and thriving creative and cultural sector."

Wardle added: "We hope that our new streamlined, easy to understand application process will enable us to distribute funds effectively for maximum impact fulfilling John Jerwood’s original philanthropic vision to support excellence and emerging talent in the UK."

Grieve commented: "The newly merged Jerwood charities put the organisation at the forefront to sustainably support and nurture the arts and crafts for public benefit and to continue its unique stance as an agile, entrepreneurial funder."