Deadline: 01-Oct-2025
The European Fine Art Foundation Museum Restoration Fund supports the professional restoration and scholarly research of important artworks held by public museums. This global initiative promotes the preservation of art in all its forms, with applications open to museums worldwide and for artworks from any historical period.
Each year, the fund allocates a maximum of €50,000 to restoration projects. Typically, two projects are selected to receive €25,000 each. Only public museums are eligible to apply, and each institution may submit one project per year. Funding is available for both new and ongoing restoration efforts.
All applicants must complete the official TEFAF Museum Restoration Fund application form, which is available via email. Submissions, including supporting documents like restoration plans and budgets, must be in English. Projects must involve qualified and professional restorers or restoration teams.
Once the restoration is complete, the artwork must be exhibited publicly for at least two years. For works on paper, the display requirement is a minimum of two months per year across two years. Museums must visibly acknowledge TEFAF’s support on the exhibit label and their website.
TEFAF may also invite participating museums to take part in promotional events such as panel talks, lectures, or studio visits. There is potential for editorial features through TEFAF’s media partners, and in some cases, restored works may be showcased at a TEFAF art fair.
Museums receiving funding are required to document the restoration process, including progress photos and videos. High-resolution images (minimum 300 dpi) showing various stages of the restoration, as well as clear before-and-after comparisons, must be provided for use in TEFAF’s promotional materials and online platforms.
For more information, visit TEFAF.
