Funding to help fine art students visit exhibitions or other arts events in the UK.

The information on this page is correct for the 2024/25 academic year.

"I would like to thank all those involved in the Joyce Spurr Art Travel Fund, without it I would have never been able to attend the shows at the Wallace and the Tate, and would have likely missed my own work at Rising Stars out of fear of financially stretching myself too thin... 

Again I would like to thank the donors for providing me with the support that facilitated this trip, without it, my practice and career prospects, would not be looking so good." - JJ (Art Fund recipient)

Overview

The Joyce Spurr Art Travel Fund offers grants for fine art students to travel to and attend exhibitions or arts events in the UK.

Grants are aimed at helping students learn from, and find inspiration in, exhibitions that they would not otherwise have been able to attend. In previous years, students used their awards to visit exhibitions by Yoko Ono and Marina Abramovic, in museums and art galleries such as The Baltic Centre, Somerset House and The Royal Academy of Arts.

The fund has been made possible by generous donations from 103-year-old Sheffield-based artist, Joyce Spurr, and her supporters.

"As an artist, one of the best things is seeing other artists learning and developing their craft. That’s why I wanted to start this fund – to give young people a chance to be inspired and develop their skills." – Joyce Spurr

What you could receive

Successful applicants will be awarded between £50 and £250. Grants can be used for UK travel, admission costs, accommodation, and food and drink costs of up to £20 a day.

You can receive one grant per term for each year you are enrolled on a fine art course.

Who can apply

You can apply for the fund if you are fully enrolled on an undergraduate or postgraduate fine art course.

If you received an award in a previous term/year, you can only apply again if you submitted your report and provided receipts, as requested.

If you receive benefits and/or any other financial support, it is your responsibility to check whether receiving an award will affect your entitlement(s)/payments.

When to apply

Applications for the 2024/25 academic year are open throughout the year. Applications will close when available funds have been allocated, or at 5pm on Thursday 17 July 2025, whichever is earliest.

How to apply

You will need to submit an application form. The form will ask you for:

• An outline of your travel plans
• The expenses you want support with, and what you expect them to cost
• The exhibition(s) you want to attend, and why

You must read the terms and conditions before applying. These can be found at the start of the application form.

If you are travelling in a pair or a group, you will need to apply separately.

What happens next

We will contact you to tell you the outcome of your application. We will aim to do this within one month of your application being submitted.

Successful applicants will be expected to:

• Submit receipts of your expenses, if awarded £150 or more
• Submit a report of at least 300 words and at least one photo

Receipts and reports must be submitted within one month of your trip taking place.

Your trip must be completed by (and your report submitted by) Sunday 31 August 2025. For final year students, the deadline date is Sunday 29 June 2025.

Need help

If you have any questions about the Joyce Spurr Art Travel Fund, please contact Hallam Help.