November 14, 2023

Jerwood Foundation confirms the merger with Jerwood Charity (Jerwood Arts) will take effect from 1 January 2024

Jerwood Foundation, which has been supporting the arts since 1977 has completed the formalities of merging Jerwood Charity into the Foundation, now sets out funding plans.

Up to £2 million of grants will be awarded each year. Arts organisations of all kinds will be able to apply for funding, with the first round of grants being awarded in April 2024 (closing date 1 March 2024) The application process, which can be found on the Jerwood Foundation website, https://jerwood.org/funding/, has been streamlined. In keeping with John Jerwood’s original philanthropic vision, the charity will support excellence and emerging talent in the arts and crafts in the UK.

Current projects funded by Jerwood include the Glyndebourne Jerwood Pit Perfect scheme, supporting recently graduated orchestral instrumentalists and the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards 5 opening in 2025 at Somerset House, as well as the Jerwood Assistant Director Scheme at the Young Vic and Persona Arts for their production of The Flying Dutchman in Birmingham.

Jerwood also owns and manages the Jerwood Collection of modern and contemporary art, with works from the Collection now showing in Dream and Refuge at Arnolfini in Bristol in collaboration with UWE Bristol’s MA Curating Programme.

Rupert Tyler has been appointed Chairman of the merged Jerwood boards, bringing a wealth of experience from his former role as the Chairman of Jerwood Charity. Lara Wardle, Executive Director, Jerwood Foundation, leads the organisation and management. Alan Grieve CBE, who has been Chairman of Jerwood Foundation during the last 30 years, remains a Trustee of Jerwood Foundation and Chairman Emeritus.

The merger creates a single future-facing UK charitable Foundation, relevant for the political, social, and financial climate of the 21st century, ensuring a sustainable future with maximum impact for beneficiaries.

Rupert Tyler, Chairman of Jerwood Foundation, has said,

I’m delighted and honoured to become Chairman of the newly merged Jerwood Foundation and to work with the Trustees and Executive Team at this exciting and challenging time in Jerwood’s history. I’m looking forward to being able to increase support directly to our excellent and thriving creative and cultural sector.

Lara Wardle, Executive Director Jerwood Foundation, stated,

We hope that our new streamlined, easy to understand application process will enable us to distribute funds effectively for maximum impact fulfilling John Jerwood’s original philanthropic vision to support excellence and emerging talent in the UK.

Alan Grieve CBE, Chairman Emeritus, has commented,

The newly merged Jerwood charities put the organisation at the forefront to sustainably support and nurture the arts and crafts for public benefit and to continue its unique stance as an agile, entrepreneurial funder.

 

To find out more about Jerwood Foundation, visit jerwood.org

For further information, please contact Truda Spruyt or Emily Wigham: truda.spruyt@four.agency | 07740 725206 emily.wigham@four.agency | 07385375696

 

Notes to editors

About Jerwood Foundation

Jerwood Foundation was established in 1977 for John Jerwood by Alan Grieve. In 1991, following John Jerwood’s death, Alan Grieve became Chairman of the Foundation in accordance with John Jerwood’s wishes and plans. To date Jerwood has donated over £110 million in capital and revenue funding to support the arts and crafts in the UK. Only a handful of UK philanthropists can lay claim to donations exceeding £100 million for the arts. Lara Wardle is Executive Director of Jerwood Foundation and also responsible for Jerwood Collection

Jerwood Foundation is committed to arts and crafts philanthropy. Jerwood Arts (Jerwood Charity) has been dedicated to supporting outstanding UK artists, curators, and producers to develop and thrive. The ‘family’ of organisations which sit within the Jerwood also include: Jerwood Space in Southwark, London, Jerwood’s first major capital project, which opened in 1998 and is established as one of the best and sought after rehearsal spaces for theatre and dance in the country and Jerwood Collection, which gives public access to a privately-owned collection to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of modern and contemporary art – all sharing the common purpose of maintaining imagination, relevance and enjoyment.

Shunning bureaucracy and red tape, Jerwood has created its very own style of patronage, which is private, opportunistic, and entrepreneurial.

To find out more about Jerwood Foundation and its family of organisations, visit jerwood.org

Rupert Tyler

Rupert has had a distinguished career in Wealth Management at Brewin Dolphin. Having been a longstanding Trustee of Jerwood Charity, he became Chairman in 2020. He is also Chairman of the Garden Museum and the National Garden Scheme.

Lara Wardle

Lara is Executive Director of Jerwood Foundation and Curator of Jerwood Collection, a privately-owned collection of modern and contemporary art for public display. Lara has over 25 years’ experience in the fields of 20th century and contemporary art, having previously worked at Christie’s and Phillips auction houses. She joined Jerwood Foundation as Director in 2010 and alongside her work for Jerwood, Lara currently serves on the Acceptance in Lieu Panel.

Alan Grieve CBE

Alan was born in London and educated at Aldenham School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. After completing his national service in the 14th/20th King’s Hussars and the Territorial Army, he trained at the London law firm, Taylor and Humbert in Gray’s Inn where he met John Jerwood in the late 1950s.

What began as a professional relationship developed into a deep and trusted friendship – where John Jerwood would consult with Alan – most importantly, to establish a foundation for education and the arts. John Jerwood had already been recognised as a philanthropist having made a considerable fortune and wanted to support young people in some of his passions: literature, music, theatre, and education.

Image courtesy of Brixton Chamber Orchestra