The Arts Foundation
The Arts Foundation supports individual artists and creatives in the UK with unconditional financial fellowships of £20,000 through the Arts Foundation Futures Awards. Since 1993, it has awarded over £2 million to the most promising artists in the UK at a pivotal moment in their careers to enable them to concentrate on their creative development, experiment, and realise their artistic potential.
Activities & Mission
The Arts Foundation supports individual artists and creatives in the UK with unconditional financial fellowships of £20,000 through the Arts Foundation Futures Awards. Since 1993, it has awarded over £2 million to the most promising artists in the UK at a pivotal moment in their careers to enable them to concentrate on their creative development, experiment, and realise their artistic potential.
Grants
The Arts Foundation is a grant-making charity: making grants is its main activity.
- Gives grants to
- individuals
- Total spending (2025)
- £211,517
- Only charities with income over £500,000 file a separate grants figure.
- Who it helps
- other defined groups
- What it supports
- arts, culture, heritage, or science
As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.
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Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Country
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
One or more years show a significant change in income (over ±100%) compared with the prior year. This usually reflects a merger, transfer of activities, restated accounts, or a one-off legacy — not necessarily a real change in operating scale. See the methodology for context.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £80,362 | £211,517 | 0 / 0 | |||
| 2024 | £109,172 | £188,575 | 0 / 0 | |||
| 2023 | £351,808 | £194,748 | 0 / 0 | |||
| 2022 | £47,963 | £133,123 | 0 / 0 | |||
| 2021 | £204,079 | £138,278 | 0 / 0 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about The Arts Foundation
What does The Arts Foundation do?
The Arts Foundation supports individual artists and creatives in the UK with unconditional financial fellowships of £20,000 through the Arts Foundation Futures Awards. Since 1993, it has awarded over £2 million to the most promising artists in the UK at a pivotal moment in their careers to enable them to concentrate on their creative development, experiment, and realise their artistic potential.
How much income did The Arts Foundation report in 2025?
The Arts Foundation reported total income of £80k and reported expenditure of £212k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
When was The Arts Foundation registered as a charity?
The Arts Foundation was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 2 August 1990 as charity number 1000001. It has been registered for 36 years.
Who runs The Arts Foundation?
The Arts Foundation is governed by a board of 9 trustees. The chair of trustees is Saadi Soudavar. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does The Arts Foundation operate?
The Arts Foundation operates across 3 areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.
Is The Arts Foundation a registered charity?
Yes — The Arts Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1000001.
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Registry Information
Trustees
Also governs 4 other charities
Also governs 2 other charities
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 9 November 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated