Arts-based Learning Fund

Established in 1987, the foundation is named after the publisher and philanthropist Paul Hamlyn who died in 2001. He left most of his estate to the foundation, creating one of the largest independent grant-making bodies in the UK.

What are the fund’s aims?

The fund wants to support work that enables pupils in formal education settings, particularly those experiencing system inequality or disadvantage, to thrive through engagement with arts-based learning.

Arts-based learning is defined as learning experiences that incorporate arts-based content, and/or use arts-based approaches to secure access to or enhance engagement with the curriculum.

What does it cover?

PHF is looking for applications covering the following areas:

• Support for pupils who experience systemic disadvantage to access and make progress in their learning

• Creating more opportunities for high-quality arts-based teaching and learning in education settings, especially in those which have not had this work in the past

• Exploring the role of arts-based learning in addressing issues of inclusion, especially racism, in education

• Effective practice in digital and blended arts-based teaching and learning

• Enabling arts-based learning to be embedded in curricula and practice for the long-term.

What is PHF looking for?

Learning from the fund has identified the principles of effective practice which the foundation wants to see demonstrated by applicants. These include:

• Work which responds to specific pupil and/or education setting needs

• Approaches which are evidence-based

• Work which is co-constructed by arts/cultural organisations and education settings

• Work which is high quality in terms of expertise and resources

• Commitment to reflection and continuous improvement

• Supporting development of the cultural education workforce.

How much and for what?

Grants of between £30,000 and £400,000 can be applied for through the fund. The majority are between £150,000 and £250,000 spread over two or three years. A quarter of applications received are successful.

The foundation will provide funding for specific programmes of work, core costs and to develop and test new approaches.

A proportion of the funding should cover costs associated with the development of evidence and learning, including evaluation, monitoring, research and sharing of findings. Grants will also cover the costs of training and ongoing professional development.

PHF says that when deciding between high-quality applications, it will prioritise work taking place outside of London that is for the benefit of primary-age children.

It is also keen to hear from organisations led by people who are most affected by systemic discrimination such as those who experience racism, disabled and neurodiverse people.

What is not funded?

PHF has a list of general exclusions that can be read on its website. It covers things like applications for work overseas, that promotes religion and is not delivered by charities.

In addition, the fund cannot take applications from schools or other formal education settings. However, all applicants must be working in partnership with state schools – independent or fee-paying schools are not eligible.

How to apply

The fund is open to applications year-round.

There is a three-step process to applying: an initial enquiry stage where applicants can discuss their idea with the fund team before submitting a stage one application online. Applications that are assessed as having potential will be invited to submit a stage two application which includes providing further information and a discussion with the bid lead. A final decision is given within four months of receipt of the application. A bursary of £500 can be applied for to aid applications. Successful applicants are assigned a grants manager.

• More from: www.phf.org.uk/funds/arts-based-learning-fund/
  
  

Funding roundup

• The Jack Petchey Environmental Award is open for anyone to nominate a young person aged 11 to 25 in London and Essex positively impacting the environment. Winners will be awarded a certificate, a special badge, a letter from Sir Jack Petchey and the opportunity to apply for an Environmental Award Grant of up to £300 for their project. Activities to be recognised may include volunteering in a community garden, taking part in community clean-ups, promoting protecting the environment and introducing a recycling scheme in their school/local area.

• Some 99 UK charities and not-for-profit organisations have secured grants of up to £50,000 a year over the next three years to fund support for children and young people’s mental health. The funding is through the Thriving Minds fund, a partnership between UK Youth and the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust. In total, grants worth £2.6m a year have been awarded, ranging from £15,000 for Boys and Girls Clubs in Belfast to fund a youth worker post that will co-ordinate mental health support in 25 youth organisations across Northern Ireland, to £50,000 to M13 in Manchester.

• Scottish play charities will share £550,000 thanks to the Scottish Government Outdoor Community Play Fund, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families. The fund, delivered by Inspiring Scotland, supports sessions that take place in community spaces such as streets, parks, nature spaces, playgrounds, and woodlands. The sessions are unstructured and child-led, enabling children to use their creativity and imagination to develop their own games and ways to have fun.