Meet the Figurative Team
Wednesday 6th May, 10am – 5pm
Join us at Somerset House for informal 20-minute one-to-one chats with our investment, impact and philanthropy teams. Virtual slots are also available.
Philanthropy Development
We encourage philanthropic giving to the cultural and creative sector, helping organisations and supporters develop local partnerships.
Figurative’s philanthropy development work is conducted by the Figurative Philanthropy for Arts & Culture (FPAC) team. Our work focuses on researching and developing means of attracting new philanthropy into the arts and culture sector, alongside supporting arts leaders to feel confident seeking philanthropic giving and developing a range of funding sources for their work.
Prior to Figurative’s launch in 2024, FPAC operated as New Philanthropy for Arts & Culture (NPAC), a cause-related network established in June 2019 under the chairmanship of Sir Vernon Ellis. You can find out more about Figurative’s history here.
The founder members of the FPAC network are generous supporters of the arts and aware of the significant potential of new sources of private funding, in particular from individual donors, to support and sustain the sector.
As our work has developed, we have created three resource hubs:
- Support for the arts and culture sector, which provides some resources to assist in attracting gifts for your organisations.
- Support for arts supporters and would-be supporters through the formation of a series of regional partnerships.
- Research into arts philanthropy; what motivates arts donors and how the sector model might evolve to attract new supporters.
Our current programmes include the Arts for Impact matched funding campaign, in partnership with Big Give, and our Place-Based Partnerships bringing together cultural and creative organisations and local philanthropists in regional networks.
We have also developed a rich and growing resource of more than 40 case studies across the cultural and creative sector which together make a powerful case for further support. In time, we will showcase these and other aspects of our work on the Figurative website – but in the meantime, you can access them here. We hope you find these both interesting and useful in your exploration of the sector.
FPAC is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
Work with us
If you’re interested in exploring place-based philanthropy for your area or joining an existing partnership, we’d welcome a conversation about how FPAC can support your goals.
Contact Anna Rowe, Project Lead, anna.rowe@figurative.org.uk
Philanthropy Programmes
Philanthropy
The Big Give’s Arts for Impact campaign, in partnership with Figurative’s philanthropy development team, supports UK arts and culture charities working to achieve societal impact.
Philanthropy
Our place-based networks focus on the role and positive impact of arts and culture on communities and rally people around local causes.
Speak To Our Team
Find out how we can support to you and your organisation: Anna Rowe, FPAC Project Director, anna.rowe@figurative.org.uk
Latest Case Studies
Explore our portfolio to learn how our investments and programmes support cultural organisations of all types.
Acme sought a £500,000 loan in 2025 to support the acquisition and fit-out of a new studio building in Waltham Forest, Billet Road Studios. The property had been completed to shell-and-core standard but remained vacant due to limited demand for its original permitted use as office and ground-floor community space.
Watch our short film to hear directly from cultural and creative organisations including Music Venue Properties, Little Angel Theatre, and Creative Land Trust about their experience working with us.
Little Angel Theatre received a Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) cash-flow loan in summer 2024, which helped maintain its cash position during its seasonal low and supported ongoing investment in upcoming productions.
Wild Rumpus sought a £150,000 investment from Figurative to support a strategic shift in direction. The funding would enable the organisation to diversify its income through commissions, touring work, and new events, build financial reserves to navigate seasonally quiet periods, and undertake essential redevelopment of its facilities.
Image credits:
Care staff taking part in a Paintings in Hospitals art workshop at St Michael’s Hospice. Find out more about our work with Paintings in Hospitals here.