Freelands Awards 2026 / Championing art education – Freelands Foundation
Institution: Freelands Foundation
Location: United Kingdom
Grant: £100,000 (three awards)
Deadline: March 24, 2026 (12:00 PM – Expression of Interest)
The Freelands Awards 2026 recognise and support UK visual arts organisations demonstrating a strong commitment to progressive art education. Each year, three organisations are awarded £100,000 to support a recent or ongoing project that shows meaningful impact through innovative approaches to teaching and learning in the visual arts.
The awards are part of Freelands Foundation’s broader mission to champion art education. Over the next five years, the foundation will invest £1.5 million in the programme to highlight inspiring educational initiatives taking place in galleries, museums, and arts organisations across the UK.
Award Details
Winning organisations receive:
- £100,000 grant to support organisational activity
- Collaboration with the foundation to produce a short film highlighting their art education work
- Invitation to a celebration event in London announcing the winners
The grant is flexible and may be used for:
- Programming and project costs
- Staff wages or freelance fees
- Equipment and materials
- Capital development
- Organisational overheads (rent, utilities, insurance)
Funding cannot be used for:
- Building organisational reserves
- Re-granting funds to other organisations or individuals
- Lobbying or political activity
- Supporting entities on UK, EU, or US financial sanctions lists
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- UK-based organisations operating in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland
- Organisations operating with a charitable purpose and public benefit
- Organisations presenting visual art to the public at their own venue
Eligible organisations may include:
- Registered charities
- Museums and galleries
- Local authority cultural organisations
- Organisations within universities or larger charitable bodies
- Community Interest Companies or similar organisations with charitable aims
- Applicants must also maintain safeguarding and equal access policies.
The awards are not open to:
- Individuals or artists
- For-profit organisations
- Schools, further education colleges, or university teaching faculties
- Sector infrastructure organisations
- Organisations outside the UK
Application Process
The Freelands Awards involve a two-stage process:
- Expression of Interest (EOI) – introducing the organisation and a relevant art education project
- Judging panel visit – shortlisted organisations will host a visit from the judges
- Expressions of Interest must be submitted by March 24, 2026 (midday).
Key Dates
- Expressions of Interest Open: January 26, 2026
- Application Support Webinar: March 12, 2026
- EOI Deadline: March 24, 2026
- Judges’ visits to shortlisted organisations: Summer 2026
- Announcement of winners: November 2026
Judging Panel
The 2026 awards will be judged by:
- Gemma Cairney – writer, broadcaster, and cultural producer
- Joy Gregory – artist, lecturer, and educator
- Jenni Lomax – curator and Director Emeritus of Camden Art Centre
- Ben Street – art historian, author, and educator
- Chair: Henry Ward – Director of the Freelands Foundation
