Become a supported institution
Outset Partners is the flagship annual fund through which Outset UK supports public art institutions. It is collectively funded through the equal donations of up to 15 international individuals. The Fund is the largest grant from a collective of philanthropists who make the funding decisions themselves. The deliberation process is supported by an independent Research Lead with deep art sector expertise.
Outset Partners enables institutions to pursue ambitious new work that would not otherwise be possible. Each year the Fund awards one Transformative grant of up to £150,000, and up to five Impact grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 each. These grants are unique in their open approach and non-prescriptive criteria.
The Fund encourages risk-taking and experimentation, offering institutions the freedom to test ideas, pioneer models of working, inspire audiences, and reimagine their role within the cultural landscape. Funding is intended to realise specific initiatives, strengthen institutions, inspire audiences, and create lasting impact beyond the immediate context.
How it works:
Outset Partners runs on an annual cycle. It opens to submissions from applicants in February and funding decisions are communicated to the chosen recipients in November for projects that start in the following calendar year.
Invitations to apply to the Fund are sent to a growing network of over 500 trusted public art institutions around the world. An average of 80 institutions apply for funding in each cycle, which is awarded to four to six projects.
Applications are considered by the Outset Partners, each holding an equal vote in a year-long grant-making process.
Outset Partners and the Outset UK team work with successful applicants for the duration of their projects and beyond. Regular updates from funding recipients foster genuine connections and knowledge exchange. The list of recipients to date can be found here.
If you would like to be considered to join the network of invited institutions, please write grants@outset.org.uk
FAQs
Any international public art institution that has been invited to apply. Outset offers an inclusive application process and will provide support as required.
Each year the Fund awards one Transformative grant of up to £150,000, and up to five Impact grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 each.
A full list of recipients can be found here.
Invited institutions receive an email in February of each year outlining the application process, with a link to a short application form (Expression of Interest). Only complete applications will be considered.
Applications open in February of each year for approximately one calendar month. A longlist of applicants is asked to provide an additional detail (May). Shortlisted applicants are invited to a virtual interview (July). Funding decisions are communicated to the chosen recipients in November. A public announcement is made at the end of each year.
The judging panel is composed of individual Outset Partners who have an equal vote in the consensus-driven selection process. The deliberation process is supported by an independent Research Lead with deep art sector expertise.
To be eligible to apply, projects must be announced to the public at the end of each year, regardless of their realisation date. Institutions are encouraged to propose projects that will be realised a year (or more) following the application submission. There is no requirement for projects to be completed by a specific date.
The application and feedback process is managed by the Outset UK team: grants@outset.org.uk
