Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust

The Trust prioritises classical music education initiatives, funding bursaries that enable young and emerging classical musicians to access advanced courses, orchestras, music groups, and performance opportunities. It also supports heritage crafts and conservation training through bursaries to higher education institutions, equipping trainees with skills for preserving stained glass, paintings, and historical artifacts. Key activities include project grants for collections care, major conservation surveys of artistic holdings, exhibitions integrating restoration components, sensitive restoration of historical sites and collections, and programs enhancing public engagement with cultural heritage. The Trust has a strong affinity for East Anglia's heritage-rich communities and organisations, though its area of operation covers England and Wales.

The Trust funds registered charities only, with a strong preference for organisations based in or serving East Anglia. It supports bodies that provide bursaries and training in classical music and heritage crafts, as well as arts museums, galleries, and conservation training institutions with a proven track record of public benefit. Beneficiaries include young and emerging classical musicians, trainees in heritage conservation, and communities that value artistic traditions. There is no religious restriction on applicants.

The Trust does not support general operational costs, non-arts causes, or projects that lack defined preservation or educational outcomes. Broad generalist initiatives outside classical music, heritage crafts, or asset conservation are also excluded.

The Trust provides project grants for conservation and public engagement activities, and bursaries for training and education in classical music and heritage crafts. It accepts unsolicited applications and favours professional, sustainable interventions that demonstrate clear outcomes.