Welcome to the Benney Arts Foundation
Apprenticeships in the Arts

Our goal as a charity:

The Benney Arts Foundation’s goal as a charity is to raise funds to provide art apprenticeships and sustained funding for young artists with financial difficulties who otherwise would not have sufficient funds to continue their education with an established artist.

Our aim as a foundation:

The practice of apprenticeships in the arts has all but died out due to the lack of a dedicated structure. The Benney Arts Foundation’s aim is to place young artists in a working studio environment where they will have the opportunity to get first hand experience of the various aspects of making a living in the arts; from practical techniques to how to gain exposure in the wider art world. This will provide young artists with the experience and support needed to develop their own independent art practice. We feel that over time this will lead to a strong support system for the arts community and will in turn help enrich the country’s cultural fabric.

Why BAF is important:

The need for the Benney Arts Foundation has never been greater. Most art schools simply cannot adequately prepare students for the rigours of the art world. While the conceptual and philosophical framework provided by art school programmes is an important element of arts education, it falls short of the fully rounded professional experience that is needed to make the successful transition from student to practitioner. Figures provided by the Department of Education show that employment and independent careers in the arts for art school graduates are the lowest of all graduating students. This is evidence enough that something is fundamentally missing from the current curriculum.

Creating a professional environment:

Our funding provides a bursary for the apprentice as well as a stipend for the established artist, creating a professional environment where all parties will be motivated to focus and make the most of the apprenticeship period.

How we initiate the bursary:

We will use the Benney Arts Foundation’s extensive database of established artists interested in the scheme to best match the talents of the successful applicant with the most appropriate mentor. After the initial introduction, we will continue to monitor the progress of the apprenticeship throughout the agreed period. The BAF offers bursaries up to £15,000 dependent on means and period of apprenticeship.

How to apply:

If you are a student wishing to apprentice, an artist wishing to take on an apprentice, or if you wish to contribute to the Foundation through a donation or other form of contribution or collaboration, please contact us using this form on our website.

Contributors will be kept abreast of the achievements of the apprenticeship programme as it develops and expands.