The African Arts Trust

Overview

The African Arts Trust is a UK registered charity established to support the careers of emerging artists on the African continent, particularly in the visual arts. The Trust was set up by the collector and philanthropist Robert Devereux, who used funds from the successful auction of his private collection of post-war British art to establish the organization. This initiative reflects his experiences and observations during frequent travels to Africa, where he recognized the abundant talent among visual artists whose opportunities were limited by local resource constraints[5].

Activities and Funding Priorities

The Trust is specifically committed to funding projects in Eastern and Southern Africa, focusing on countries such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana[2][4]. Its primary aim is to support grassroots organizations that aid professional practicing artists seeking to make a livelihood in the visual arts sector.

The African Arts Trust categorizes its funding priorities into high and medium levels. High priorities include core funding for arts organizations and studio spaces. Medium priorities encompass workshops, residencies, project funding, exhibitions, and competitions or awards. On occasion, it may also support exceptional projects in other areas such as books/publications, video/radio, or festivals/biennales[5].

Governance and Operations

As a registered charity, The African Arts Trust operates under a governance structure that includes a board of trustees. The charity does not employ staff with benefits exceeding £60,000 and no trustees receive remuneration. In the financial year ending March 2024, the Trust reported a total income of £69,611 and a total expenditure of £184,133, although detailed fundraising and trading activities are not specified[2].

Impact

By supporting grassroots organizations and emerging artists in Africa, The African Arts Trust plays a crucial role in nurturing talent and promoting the visual arts in regions where resources are limited. Its emphasis on supporting artists in making a sustainable livelihood through their work contributes to the development of local artistic communities.

[1] https://www.theafricanartstrust.org [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5016085/charity-overview [3] https://www.theafricanartstrust.org/apply-grants-bursaries-support-african.php [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5016085/full-print [5] https://triple-funds.com/tf-entry/funding-opportunity-from-taat/