Understanding the Henry Moore Grants and Fellowships Program
The Henry Moore Foundation offers significant funding opportunities for organizations and individuals dedicated to the field of sculpture. This program, which accepts applications four times a year, aims to foster the growth, preservation, research, and public appreciation of sculpture across historical, modern, and contemporary contexts. It supports projects that broaden discussions about sculpture and improve access to sculptural knowledge, collections, exhibitions, and conservation practices.
This internationally recognized initiative provides financial backing for a wide range of sculpture-related projects. Whether you are planning exhibitions, publishing research, conserving collections, or organizing academic events, the foundation offers several funding categories designed to meet diverse project needs. The program is a key resource for those looking to advance sculpture studies and public engagement.
What the Henry Moore Grants Programme Supports
The Henry Moore Grants programme is designed to support projects that make a meaningful contribution to sculpture studies, public engagement, conservation, interpretation, and accessibility. Funding is available for both organizations and eligible individuals, broken down into specific categories. The foundation actively seeks projects that generate new perspectives on sculpture history or enhance public understanding and appreciation of sculpture as an artistic and cultural practice.
The programme welcomes applications for a variety of initiatives, including:
- Sculpture exhibitions
- Exhibition catalogues
- Sculpture commissions
- Conferences and lectures
- Research initiatives
- Non-commercial publications
- Collection acquisitions
- Sculpture conservation projects
- Cataloguing and display development
- Travel and archival research
Categories of Henry Moore Grants
The Henry Moore Foundation has established distinct categories to cater to different types of projects and applicants. Each category has specific objectives and funding limits, ensuring that support is directed effectively.
New Projects and Commissions
This category is for projects that encourage new thinking about sculpture or increase public engagement with its history. It supports exhibitions, exhibition catalogues, and sculpture commissions. Projects might include museum exhibitions, contemporary sculpture installations, public commissions, or scholarly exhibition catalogues. Organizations applying here should show how their projects contribute to sculpture discourse, public learning, or artistic innovation. The maximum funding available for this category is £20,000.
Acquisitions and Collections
Museums, galleries, and other collecting institutions can apply for support to acquire sculptural works, conserve existing collections, or improve collection accessibility. This can be achieved through cataloguing and display initiatives. Funding may support sculpture acquisitions, conservation treatment, documentation and cataloguing, and improvements to collection displays. This category helps institutions preserve important sculptural heritage while making collections more accessible to the public. The maximum funding available is £20,000.
Conferences, Lectures, and Publications
Organizations planning academic or public-facing events related to sculpture can apply under this category. Funding is also available for non-commercial books and journals that focus on sculpture studies. Eligible projects include academic conferences, public lecture series, research publications, and sculpture journals. It is important to note that exhibition catalogues must be submitted under the New Projects and Commissions category. The maximum funding available for this category is £5,000.
Long-Term Research Grants
The Henry Moore Foundation also provides support for extensive research projects that require funding over multiple years. This category is ideal for major scholarly initiatives, such as the creation of permanent collection catalogues or long-term archival research. Applicants should present detailed timelines, methodologies, and plans for the long-term impact of their research activities. The maximum funding available for these grants is £20,000.
Research and Travel Grants for Individuals
Unlike most other categories that are restricted to organizations, the Research and Travel Grants category is specifically designed for individual scholars and conservators. This funding supports research costs, travel expenses, photography, archival access, sculpture conservation research, and historical or interpretive studies. The maximum funding available for individual researchers and conservators is £2,500.
Projects That Are Not Eligible for Funding
The Henry Moore Foundation has outlined specific project types that do not qualify for funding. Understanding these exclusions is crucial for applicants to ensure their proposals align with the foundation’s priorities.
Projects that are not eligible include:
- Residency programmes
- Building or central operational costs
- Traditional memorials and figurative statues
- Commercial publishing projects
- Community gardens
- Wellbeing activities
- Play equipment
- Independent artistic practice development
Community project proposals are only considered if they are submitted by non-profit arts organizations. The foundation explicitly states that it does not support projects intended to develop or inform an artist’s own practice or creative work.
Application Process
Applications for the Henry Moore Grants are managed through the Flexi-Grant portal. All applicants must register for an account on the portal before they can submit their proposals. Organizations are advised to complete their registration requests at least one week before the application deadlines. Late registration requests will automatically be moved to the next funding round. Applicants can submit, manage, and review their applications directly through the online grants portal. The deadline for applications is typically June 1st.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the Henry Moore Grants and Fellowships Program?
The program aims to support projects that foster the growth, preservation, research, and public appreciation of sculpture in all its forms.
Who can apply for Henry Moore grants?
Grants are available for both organizations and eligible individuals, depending on the specific funding category.
What types of projects are eligible for funding?
Eligible projects include sculpture exhibitions, commissions, research, publications, conservation, and academic events.
How do I apply for a Henry Moore grant?
Applications are submitted through the Flexi-Grant portal, and applicants must register for an account before the deadline, which is typically June 1st.
