Securing the necessary financial support is crucial for any heritage project but navigating the complex world of funding applications can be daunting. Our team has a proven track record of successfully guiding clients through the funding application process, including applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.

Current Funding Opportunities: National Lottery Project Grants “Unlocking Collections”

As part of the Arts Council’s commitment to funding museums and their collections, Unlocking Collections campaign is a Time Limited Priority within National Lottery Project Grants, aimed at enabling museums to develop their collections-based work and increase public engagement with, and use of, their collections.

What you can apply for:

They welcome applications from museums looking to develop their work with the collections they manage and care for.

They fund projects which highlight the use of collections, whether that is for community-based engagement, the development of interpretation or providing opportunities for museums to develop their digital skills and knowledge.

They are keen to see applications which consider the following areas of museum practice:

• Re-interpretation of collections: They are committed to working with a wider range of people to better understand and reinterpret collections. They want them to be more inclusive, relevant, useful and engaging. This includes projects that enable a deeper understanding of collections’ provenance.
• Digital tools and mechanisms within museums (to promote a shared understanding of the content and significance of collections across the sector, linking to Digital Champions Networks).
• Collections review: improving the standard of collections storage and display spaces.

Types of Unlocking Collections activity they can fund include:

• Documentation programmes which engage local communities in researching and understanding more about collections within their local museum/s.
• Collections development programmes which enable museums to enhance their interpretation of the collections they hold.
• Workshop activity which places collections at its heart. This could mean workshops for communities and the staff working within the museum itself.
• Support programmes for museums to develop digital skills and knowledge linked to effective collections management and documentation.
• Collections review projects which enable museums to better understand their holdings, and improve engagement with them.

Key things to remember:

Before you apply, think about:

• How you currently work with your collections, what this funding will do to help improve access to, and understanding of, the objects you care for.
• Who you will work with to deliver your proposed programme of activities.
• Who your audiences are.
• How will you manage potentially challenging conversations about the provenance/heritage of the objects you hold, and how will you safeguard the communities and partners you work with in these discussions?
• The environmental impact of your work.

With 30 years' experience, our team has generated invaluable knowledge and experience across interpretation, visitor experience and technology.

We are uniquely placed to support clients and partners through the funding application process so please get in contact to see how we can help.