Deadline: 02-Oct-2026
The Jerwood Art Fund Commissions is inviting applications to support UK museums and galleries to commission early to mid-career artists to create innovative contemporary artworks that enter public collections and strengthen engagement with living artists in museum spaces. The programme aims to expand commissioning opportunities, encourage artistic excellence, and ensure that newly commissioned works remain accessible to the public through permanent collections.
About the Program
The Jerwood Art Fund Commissions supports museums and galleries to work directly with artists in developing ambitious contemporary artworks for public audiences.
The programme focuses on:
- Commissioning innovative contemporary artworks
- Supporting early to mid-career artists
- Strengthening engagement with living artists
- Developing museum commissioning capacity
- Encouraging innovation and excellence in contemporary practice
- Building public engagement with new artworks
- Expanding opportunities for artists across diverse media
- Increasing access to contemporary art within museums and galleries
- Strengthening public collections
- Supporting public realm installations
The programme aims to create meaningful partnerships between artists and collecting institutions while enhancing public access to contemporary art.
Program Objectives
The programme seeks to:
- Enable museums and galleries to commission new work
- Support the professional development of early to mid-career artists
- Increase the presence of living artists within museum spaces
- Encourage ambitious and innovative artistic practice
- Strengthen commissioning expertise within cultural institutions
- Promote public participation and engagement
- Expand permanent public collections
- Ensure long-term stewardship of commissioned artworks
- Foster collaboration across the cultural sector
- Celebrate excellence in contemporary art
Projects should demonstrate a commitment to artistic quality and public benefit.
Funding Information
Under the programme:
- Two major commissions will be awarded each year over a three-year period.
- Each commission will receive between £70,000 and £100,000 annually.
- Funding is intended to cover the full costs of developing, producing, and presenting the commissioned work.
Applicants should ensure that proposed budgets reflect all costs associated with the commission.
Eligible Artists
The programme supports artists who are:
- In the early to mid stages of their careers
- Generally within five to ten years of professional practice
- Returning to practice after a career break
- Transitioning from another artistic discipline
- Based in the UK
- Able to demonstrate a strong connection to the UK
Artists may work across any artistic medium, including:
- Sculpture
- Painting
- Textiles
- Ceramics
- Glass
- Film
- Photography
- Performance
- Mixed-media practices
The programme encourages applications involving artists with diverse experiences and practices.
Eligible Applicants
The programme is open to:
- Public museums
- Galleries
- Historic houses
- Libraries
- Archives
Applicant organisations must:
- Be based in the UK or Channel Islands
- Be open for at least half of the week
- Operate for a minimum of six months each year
- Hold at least provisional accreditation under the Arts Council Accreditation Scheme or an equivalent national standard
Collaborative applications are also eligible.
Collaborative Applications
Applications may involve partnerships with:
- Cultural institutions
- Commissioning bodies
- Other eligible organisations
In collaborative applications:
- The lead organisation must take responsibility for the long-term care of the commissioned artwork.
- The commissioned work must become part of a permanent public collection.
Partnerships should demonstrate clear roles and shared commitment to the project.
Eligible Activities
Funding may support:
- Artist commissions
- Development of new contemporary artworks
- Production costs
- Presentation and exhibition costs
- Public engagement activities
- Public realm installations
- Collaborative commissioning initiatives
- Activities that strengthen institutional commissioning expertise
- Integration of commissioned works into public collections
Projects should ensure that the final work remains accessible to the public.
Expected Outcomes
Supported commissions should contribute to:
- Creation of ambitious contemporary artworks
- Increased opportunities for early to mid-career artists
- Greater public engagement with living artists
- Enhanced museum commissioning capacity
- Stronger public collections
- Increased access to contemporary practice
- Long-term preservation of commissioned works
- Expanded cultural partnerships
- Broader audience participation
- Lasting cultural impact
The programme encourages projects that generate enduring value for artists, institutions, and audiences.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- The quality and ambition of the proposed commission
- The potential for artistic innovation and excellence
- The suitability of the artist and commissioning partnership
- The capacity of the organisation to deliver the project
- The potential for meaningful public engagement
- The long-term contribution to public collections
- The strength of collaborative arrangements, where applicable
Projects should demonstrate clear artistic vision and organisational readiness.
Why This Program Matters
Museums and galleries play an important role in supporting living artists and ensuring that contemporary artistic practices are represented within public collections. Commissioning new work provides artists with opportunities to experiment, develop ambitious ideas, and engage with new audiences.
The Jerwood Art Fund Commissions strengthens the relationship between artists and cultural institutions by supporting the creation of significant new works that remain accessible to the public for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Jerwood Art Fund Commissions?
- The programme supports museums and galleries to commission innovative contemporary artworks by early to mid-career artists that will enter permanent public collections.
How much funding is available?
- Two commissions are awarded each year, with each commission receiving between £70,000 and £100,000 annually.
Who are the eligible artists?
- Early to mid-career artists, generally within five to ten years of professional practice, who are based in or have a strong connection to the UK.
Which artistic disciplines are eligible?
- Artists working in sculpture, painting, textiles, ceramics, glass, film, photography, performance, mixed-media practices, and other artistic media may be considered.
Who can apply for the programme?
- Public museums, galleries, historic houses, libraries, and archives based in the UK or Channel Islands that meet the eligibility requirements.
Are collaborative applications allowed?
- Yes. Partnerships with other cultural institutions or commissioning bodies are accepted, provided the lead organisation assumes responsibility for the long-term care of the artwork.
What happens to the commissioned artworks?
- Commissioned works must become part of permanent public collections, including public realm installations where appropriate.
Conclusion
The Jerwood Art Fund Commissions provides museums and galleries with an opportunity to commission ambitious new works by early to mid-career artists while strengthening public collections and engagement with contemporary practice. By investing in artistic excellence, institutional partnerships, and long-term public access, the programme supports a vibrant future for living artists and the cultural sector.
For more information, visit Art Fund.