Own Art Scheme - Galleries and Art Outlets Invited to Apply

Art galleries and outlets in England are invited to apply for membership to this scheme. Own Art is a national scheme established to provide interest-free loans for the purchase and/or commission of contemporary visual arts and crafts - the visual arts include painting, sculpture, printmaking, glassware, ceramics, installations, artists' film and video, photography, textiles, jewellery and other unique design items.

UK residents over the age of 18 are eligible to borrow from £100 to £2,000 to be paid back in 10 monthly instalments, interest-free through the galleries and outlets that are successful in gaining membership to the scheme.

Overall, Own Art aims to achieve the following:

Increase public engagement and interest in the visual arts, particularly amongst sections of the population who are currently defined as having little or no engagement in the arts. Increase access to owning original works of art.

Encourage increased awareness of and attendance at high quality visual arts events across England. Contribute to the sustainability of a network of visual arts venues and galleries across England. Help support contemporary artists by encouraging increased sales of work across a breadth of practice.

Membership of the Own Art scheme is open to the following types of organisation in England:

Commercial art galleries.

Not-for-profit galleries, museums and artists associations.

Local authority funded galleries and museums.

Specialist art colleges and higher education establishments.

Internet-based galleries whose registered offices are based in England.

The deadline for the receipt of applications is 26 April 2010:

[w] www.artscouncil.org.uk/ownart