We are driven by our belief that art can change the world and that beyond its material creation, preservation and conservation it has a power that can change lives and benefit society. Arts education therefore should not be a privilege, but something that anyone can access and use to empower themselves and those around them.
City & Guilds of London Art School was founded on and has developed from this premise. It was established in 1854 as a small, specialist college, dedicated to teaching the techniques of the specialist crafts and focused on developing skills required in the artisan manufacturing industries. Since then, it has evolved and expanded its educational programmes, offering an alternative approach to that provided in most other art schools on its programmes in Conservation, Carving and Fine Art. For almost 170 years the Art School has played a vital role in passing on specialist craft skills and inspiring new generations of artists and makers to create new works, and to restore and conserve precious built and cultural heritage of the past, for all to see and enjoy.
True to our origins, we’ve stayed small and specialist, dedicated to imparting knowledge and fostering new individual creative journeys among our students. We have much to celebrate: for over 50 years, we have operated successfully as an independent charity, thanks to the generosity of our donors, the careful management of our resources, and the enormous commitment of our staff to the pursuit of excellence in every aspect of our work. And we have big ambitions for the future: to extend our academic course portfolio, to widen participation in our programmes, to develop our research initiatives, to continue to develop partnerships that create opportunities for our graduates, and to create the best possible facilities for our students.
The support of private individuals, charitable foundations and corporate sponsors is vital in enabling us to stay true to our mission.
We are enormously grateful for the generosity of our donors and appreciate their recognition of our high standards and the important role we play in the fields of culture and heritage.
You can support the Art School in a range of ways whether you have an interest in what we stand for; are involved in a charitable institution; you studied with us; or you think that your company might like to establish a sponsorship, there are many ways in which you can support the Art School.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
CONSERVATION UMBRELLA FUND
STUDENT HARDSHIP FUND
BURSARIES & SCHOLARSHIPS
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
PRINCIPAL’S FUND
FUND A TEACHING POST
WAYS TO SUPPORT US
Below you can find information on ways to donate to the Art School, sponsors’ benefits, and information for trusts and foundations. Our gift acceptance policy is available to view here. For further enquiries, please contact Natasha Hastings, Development & External Relations Manager, at n.hastings@cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk.
Whether it is a one off donation, a yearly gift in support of your favourite department, or a standing order, all contributions are important. The accumulative power of smaller donations can make a huge difference and larger donations can enable you to see directly the impact of your contribution.
If you are a UK tax payer, your donation could be eligible for Gift Aid, which adds 25% to its value , at no cost to you.
Other ways to donate:
- Download our donation form to contribute to the Art school via cheque, bank transfer or debit/credit card: click here to download.
- Download a standing order form to ask your bank to send us a regular donation. With a standing order, you choose how often you would like the donation to be made, for how long, and you can stop it at any moment by contacting your bank. Click here to download a standing order mandate.
Please contact Natasha Hastings, Development & External Relations Manager, if you would like any further information (n.hastings@cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk)
Trusts and Foundations play a significant role: in supporting bursaries and scholarships for students; in supporting our ambitious and transformative capital projects; as well as other initiatives and projects that are key to the vitality of the Art School and of the subjects we teach.
The Art School is enormously grateful to the philanthropic institutions that support us, which include charitable foundations and family trusts, as well as Livery Companies. You can view the full list of our benefactors here.
If you are a grant director, trustee or trust administrator, and you would like to know more about the Art School, specific areas or projects, please contact Natasha Hastings, Development & External Relations Manager, at n.hastings@cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk. We would be glad to answer any question, and to invite you for a visit to see first-hand the work of our students and what we stand for.
Do you wish to support quality, historical skills & heritage, young talent, excellence in education and training, contemporary cutting-edge art?
By supporting the Art School you do all of this, and you invest in the future of creativity, craftsmanship, and of our national built heritage and museum collections, as we train the next generation of artists, conservators and craft professionals who care for existing treasures and create new ones.
City & Guilds of London Art School is a specialist centre of educational excellence, well respected as an educational institution and recognised across relevant industries for the level and quality of its teaching. As an institution, which doesn’t benefit from government funding, all support is greatly valued.
This is an example of what supporting businesses might fund:
- The Art School’s Degree and MA Shows, attracting the South London community, heritage and contemporary art specialists, curators, gallerists and the wide network of stakeholders and donors who support the Art School.
- Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards for students.
- Specialist equipment, by providing essential funds, or by agreeing a Gift in Kind.
- Materials & tools.
Benefits can include:
- Becoming part of the wider CGLAS community of Artists, Alumni, Students, Donors, Trustees and Stakeholders
- Invitations to the Art School’s programme of events.
- Tickets for our VIP Degree Show events.
- Access to creativity and craftsmanship: guided visits to the artists’ studios and workshops.
- Acknowledgment on the Art School’s website.
- Invitations to external shows, fairs and events in which the Art School is involved.
- Event and space hire opportunities.
If you would like to discuss support opportunities, please contact Natasha Hastings, Development & External Relations Manager, at n.hastings@cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk.
The Art School is able to provide some of its bursaries and awards thanks to bequests and legacies received in the past. It is a modest but vital fund, carefully managed by the Trustees.
Your donation could help us to fund key teaching posts; provide bursary or hardship support to deserving students; kick-start a new educational programme; sustain the excellence of the teaching and training we offer; provide funds to maintain and upgrade specialist equipment; help a student to take part in a specialist workshop; support further professional development for our tutors; or could be used at the discretion of Trustees for the most critical need. All legacy gifts are hugely valued and are of great benefit the Art School.
If you are thinking of leaving a gift in your will to the Art School and would like to discuss this , please contact Natasha Hastings, Development & External Relations Manager, at n.hastings@cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk.
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for City & Guilds of London Art School with easyfundraising?
There are over 7,000 brands on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds.
All you need to do is:
1. Go to Easyfundraising and join for free.
2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.
3. After you’ve checked out, the brand will make a donation to City & Guilds of London Art School at no extra cost to you whatsoever!
There are no catches or hidden charges and City & Guilds of London Art School will be really grateful for your donations.
Thank you for your support.