Stanley Picker Trust

The Stanley Picker Trust, established in 1977 by New York-born entrepreneur and arts philanthropist Stanley Herbert Picker, advances education in fine and performing arts while stewarding his iconic modernist Picker House in Kingston upon Thames and its twentieth-century art collection for public benefit. Rooted in Picker's vision of nurturing young talent, the trust champions the transformative power of creativity, artistic risk-taking, and access to heritage architecture, fostering innovative practices that bridge mid-century modernism with contemporary work. Its distinctive approach emphasizes long-term stewardship, partnerships like those with Kingston University, and public engagement through tours and educational resources.

The trust prioritizes institutional grants for scholarships, bursaries, and fellowships supporting UK students in fine art and performing arts at leading universities, art schools, and conservatoires. Key programmes include up to ten annual named scholarships (up to £5,000 each), Stanley Picker Fellowships at Kingston University for practitioners like Débora Delmar and Elizabeth Price, funding for the Stanley Picker Gallery's contemporary art initiatives, museum acquisitions, and a student curator internship at Matt’s Gallery. It balances support across London and the rest of the UK, focusing on diverse, critically engaged projects often inspired by the Picker House's legacy.

Eligible applicants are exclusively UK higher education institutions with established fine or performing arts programmes; individuals and non-UK entities are ineligible, with no strict income thresholds but a preference for proven providers over grassroots groups. Typical grants range from £3,000 to £7,000. Unsolicited applications open January 1 and close March 31 annually (next: March 31, 2026), submitted by email or post; trustees meet annually in April, notify by May, and disburse in September. It excludes core funding, general charity grants, and non-arts education, standing out for its heritage-integrated, education-centric model uniquely tied to Picker's artistic estate.