Idlewild Trust

In the arts, Idlewild Trust funds high-level training for early-career participants across the performing, fine and applied arts. This includes backstage disciplines such as stage management, lighting, sound and costume design, with the aim of helping emerging professionals build sustainable careers. Conservation grants support projects that preserve culturally significant objects and artworks held by museums, galleries, historic buildings, libraries and places of worship. The Trust welcomes conservation initiatives that enhance public access and educational outreach, ensuring heritage is shared as well as protected. Work may take place across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Whether the focus is a training scheme or a conservation project, the underlying purpose is to combine skill development with clear public benefit, so that both artistic talent and cultural heritage are safeguarded for the future.

Only registered charities may apply, and the Trust cannot fund schools or faith groups. Applicants must be based in the UK, with work taking place across England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. In the arts, the Trust prioritises organisations offering high-level training to early-career participants – young people beginning professional careers, including those in backstage roles. Programmes that benefit just one person are not supported. Conservation projects are aimed at a general public audience and must be led by organisations that can demonstrate a clear public benefit. The Trust does not fund individuals or children's activities under the arts programme.

Arts grants cannot be used for programmes that benefit only one person, for commissioning new works, touring, performances, productions, festivals or exhibitions – unless these are part of a wider skills-development programme. Training that exists purely to facilitate creative workshops is also excluded. On the conservation side, the Trust does not fund structural repairs to buildings, organs and bells, capital projects or new facilities, environmental projects, conservation reports, or routine maintenance, cleaning and preventative work on objects or works of art.

Idlewild Trust makes one-off annual grants for specific projects. It favours initiatives with clear public benefit and does not offer multi-year funding. The Trust welcomes unsolicited applications from eligible registered charities and considers both arts training and conservation projects on their merits.