Tru Vue and Icon would like to support conservation and care of collections teams to deliver projects that will address conservation and exhibition challenges.
Applications are now closed
We are looking for projects that will:
Protect and conserve an object or objects already on display
OR
Enable an object that is not currently on display to be conserved and presented to visitors in a safe way
The grant scheme has two components:
- Materials supplied by Tru Vue (value estimated up to £4,000)
TruVue Materials
An in-kind donation of Optium Museum Acrylic® or UltraVue® Laminated Glass for use directly related to the conservation and display project is available. The full list is available here. Examples may include:
(1) sheet of 3048 mm x 1829 mm (72 inch x 120 inch) 6.0mm Optium Museum Acrylic
OR
(1) sheet of 3048 mm x 1829 mm (72 inch x 120 inch) 8.8mm UltraVue Laminated Glass
OR
(1) sheet of 2438 mm x 1829mm (72 inch x 96 inch) 4.5mm Optium Museum Acrylic
OR
(2) sheets of 3.0mm 2438 mm x 1219 mm (48 inch x 96 inch) Optium Museum Acrylic
OR
(2) sheets of 2159 mm x 1600 mm (63 inch x 85 inch) 4.4mm UltraVue Laminated Glass
This excludes any shipping or fabrication costs.
- Funding to cover the materials, supplies and/or support needed to deliver the project
If you have any questions about the Tru Vue materials or you aren't sure what would best suit your project, contact Tru Vue’s representative at [email protected].
Grantees receive both the cash grant and the Tru Vue materials. Whilst the materials themselves are free – the cost of transportation and fabrication along with the conservation work are expected to be covered by the grant (or any extra costs above the grant by the grantee).
The material donation is worth up to £4000 and is credited to the Tru Vue distributor directly so that the distributor can make that material available to the grantee. The distributor may charge the grantee for cut-to-size and shipping of the donated material; money from the cash award can be used towards this cost. The cash award is to pay for the conservation process, case fabrication, and the mentioned shipping/cut-to-size costs and is up to £3000.
You will be asked to provide a quote from a supplier in the application form, detailing the shipping, fabrication, and cut material-to-size costs involved in this project.
To see examples of previously funded projects, check out Icon's Grants Gallery and choose the Tru Vue Programme in the drop-down menu.
Eligibility
At least five grants of up to £3,000 will be distributed to small heritage institutions with under 100,000 visitors per year.
We are now welcoming applications from international organisations across the globe (bar the United States and institutions from targeted geographic regions that are subject to the United Kingdom, United States, and/or United States economic sanctions and embargoes; check the US Sanctions here and the UK Sanctions here).
Application process
Applicants must clearly demonstrate how the funds will be used and demonstrate the impact of this funding for the organisation and its visitors.
Please download and complete the Application Form below, and send it along with any supporting documents to [email protected]
Tru Vue® Conservation & Exhibition Grant Scheme - Application Form.docx
You will need to cover the following:
- What the museum intends to do and what unique conservation or display challenge will this project solve (300 words)
- How the project will benefit the museum and its visitors (300 words)
- Information about how the Tru Vue materials will be used
- Outline budget with costs
- Proposal for how the outcomes of the project will be shared (report or video)
Applicants will be asked to include up to 4 photographs with their application – one of which should be the object.
Please send your completed application form and up to 4 photographs to Geanina Beres at [email protected]
Applications will be reviewed by Icon, and final selection will be made by a panel of 3 Icon members.
FAQs
Timings:
00:10 Introduction to the grant programme
11:30 How long does it take for Tru Vue materials to be delivered?
14:02 How can I find out what distributors are close to me?
14:39 Prior research for a successful application
16:39 Examples of previously funded projects
17:20 Profile raising opportunities for successful applicants
18:40 Questions about how the materials can be used
19:36 What questions should I ask the fabricators?
23:39 What to take into consideration when it comes to distributors?
24:32 Question about what materials to use for a case
28:18 Requesting material samples from Tru Vue
29:31 In-person visits from Tru Vue to give advice
30:32 Getting publicity for your successful project can help with other applications
32:07 Applying for multiple sets of funding
34:46 Are there opportunities to add information about the project outside the application form?
36:17 How many projects are usually successful per round?
36:37 What’s the timeframe for a successful project to be completed?
38:48 Where are distributors located in the UK?
39:30 First round open to international applicants
41:45 Get in touch with any questions about the application or the materials
Timetable
Applications should be submitted via email by 8 October. Please note we are no longer accepting applications.
Projects to be completed within 12 months.
Reports should be submitted to Icon within one month of the project completion date.
For further information, contact Geanina Beres (Communications Manager).
Make sure to follow us on social media to hear about when the next round of applications will open in 2024.
Reporting
On completion of the project we will expect you to submit a short report outlining what the project achieved and describing the positive outcomes. This could be a written report, including a selection of photographs, or it could be a short film. A template will be provided.
Header image: Installation view of Challenging Convention at the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne. Photo credit Colin Davison
