When the Freelands Foundation was established in 2015, its aim was to support visual art, art education and research, encouraging innovation while responding to the cultural landscape of the UK.
Over the past decade, that landscape has changed significantly. In response, the foundation has refined its focus, directing increasing attention and resources toward art education – an area that has become both increasingly fragile and strategically important to the future of the sector.
Art education in the UK is experiencing a sustained period of challenge. Over the past 15 years, schools have reduced provision for art subjects in favour of a narrower, more academically prescribed curriculum. Within museums and galleries, education and learning departments have faced significant reductions, often among the first areas affected during periods of financial constraint. At the same time, university-based art provision has been weakened by shrinking resources and persistent narratives questioning its value.
While recent policy developments – including the government’s curriculum review and renewed commitments to museum funding – suggest a welcome potential shift in direction, the cumulative effects of long-term under-investment have left the art education infrastructure vulnerable.
In 2024, the foundation took the decision to pause the Freelands Award (established in 2016 to support museums and galleries in hosting career definiting exhibtions by mid-career women artists) in order to reconsider its focus. As our mission became more clearly defined, it was evident that a reimagined awards scheme needed to respond more directly to the most pressing issues now facing the sector.
Ongoing research indicated that, while inequalities for women artists persist, the exhibition landscape has shifted significantly over the past decade, with solo presentations by women now more commonplace. By contrast, pressures on art education have intensified, raising concerns about access, equity and long-term sustainability. This context prompted a strategic reorientation.
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Education has historically been central to the purpose of museums and galleries: to make collections and artistic practice accessible, to foster understanding and to serve the public through learning and engagement. From national institutions to locally embedded organisations, this function remains fundamental to public value, yet is often under-recognised within funding and policy frameworks.
The relaunched Freelands Awards place art education at the centre of this public mission. Reflecting the diversity of contemporary practice, the awards will recognise a broad range of educational practice; work developed with schools and universities, community-based programmes, cross-sector collaborations and projects involving artists at different career stages. This approach acknowledges art education as a dynamic and evolving field and seeks to celebrate the outstanding work happening in spite of the challenging context.
From 2026, the foundation will commit £1.5m over five years to the Freelands Awards, recognising progressive visual art education in museums, galleries and art organisations of all types and scales across the UK. Each year, three organisations will receive £100,000 in unrestricted funding for recent or ongoing education programmes. Their work will be documented and shared across the sector through commissioned films and sector-facing events, contributing to wider learning and exchange.
Museums, galleries and art organisations remain central to our cultural life and – despite the challenges faced – continue to offer meaningful educational opportunities for all and find inventive ways to serve their communities. The Freelands Awards will seek out these shining examples, celebrate their achievements, and champion the essential role of art education within the UK’s cultural life. I encourage organisations who are committed to visual art education to consider applying, so we can recognise and celebrate your vital and innovative work.
Applications for the Freelands Awards 2026 are open until 24 March. You can apply here.
Henry Ward is the director of the Freelands Foundation
Freelands Awards 2026 judges
Gemma Cairney writer, broadcaster, documentary maker, journalist and cultural producer
Joy Gregory artist, lecturer and educator
Jenni Lomax curator, writer and director emeritus, Camden Art Centre, London
Ben Street art historian, author and educator
Henry Ward director, Freelands Foundation (chair of the judges)