The Association of Independent Museums (AIM) has announced that it is accepting applications to Round 3 of its New Stories New Audiences Fund. New stories could relate to the local area, an organisation’s mission, particular groups, or individuals from the past or present. New audiences should include groups that are currently under-represented to help address inequalities that can be unconsciously and indirectly reinforced by organisations.
Projects should:
o Have a clear plan with a defined start, middle, and end.
o Have not already started, and
o Last up to 12 months from the date of the grant offer letter.
The Fund is open to small museums with up to 20,000 visitors per annum across the UK to help them:
o Broaden and increase their audience(s).
o Improve their financial and environmental sustainability, and
o increase involvement and participation from sectors of the community that are under-represented (for example, Black. Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, people with a disability, young people, or local people from specific socio-economic groups).
Proposals should achieve one or more of the following:
o Heritage will be better identified and better explained.
o People will have developed skills.
o People will have greater well-being.
o People will have learnt about heritage leading to change in ideas and actions.
o The organisation will be more resilient, and
o The local area will be a better place to live, work, or visit.
While grants of up to £15,000 are available, eligible applicants will be expected to contribute a minimum of 5% of the total project cost from other sources. This can include in-kind contributions.
Grants can be used for (please note that this is not an exclusive list):
o Display and interpretation costs.
o Events costs, including room hire, refreshments and equipment.
o Improving access.
o Professional fees.
o Smaller capital works (including purchasing equipment, digitisation, and minor building work).
o Training costs, and/or
o Volunteer expenses.
Funding is not available for:
o Conservation projects
o Costs for any activity that has taken place before a grant is awarded.
o Promoting the cause or beliefs of political or faith organisations.
o Purchasing heritage items or collections.
o Recoverable VAT.
o Staff posts, or
o Statutory and legal responsibilities.
Further information, guidance and an application form (which should be submitted by email once completed) can be found on the Association of Independent Museums website.
The application deadline for Round 3 of New Stories New Audiences is Tuesday 31st October 2023. AIM is offering to advise applicants on their project proposal and encourages organisations to contact Tonia Collett, Programme Support Office (details below), to discuss their project.
Contact details for the Fund are:
Tonia Collett
Programme Support Officer
Association of Independent Museums (AIM)
AIM Postal
PO Box 181
Ludlow
SY8 9DR
Tel: 0333 305 8060
Email: tonia.collett(at)aim-museums.co.uk
