About

All about the Julia Rausing Sky Arts Bursaries

A new bursary programme from the Sky Foundation, funded by The Julia Rausing Trust, for artists in the UK.

Why are we starting with dance?

We wanted to start with an artform where this support could make a real difference. Dance is full of brilliant talent and exciting ideas, but artists often have fewer opportunities to access the time, funding and support they need to create new work. That's why we’re giving dance the focus it deserves.

By starting with dance, we can offer meaningful support at a point when it’s most needed and have a real, tangible impact on artists’ careers.

“Dance is one of the UK's great creative strengths. It's an artform that brings people together, tells powerful stories and reflects the diversity of communities across the UK.”

Phil Edgar-Jones, Sky Foundation Trustee

Why these bursaries exist

Even the most talented artists can struggle to break through. Competition for funding and opportunities as well as increased living and resource costs can make it difficult to experiment, take risks and develop.

This matters, because if we don’t protect and develop our artists of tomorrow, we risk losing our reputation for incredible home-grown talent.

We want to strengthen the future of our creative talent, open doors to exceptional artists, and increase access to opportunity. We want to support bold new work, give outstanding artists the chance to shine, and help our future arts leaders step onto the main stage.

Thanks to The Julia Rausing Trust, the Julia Rausing Sky Arts Bursaries from the Sky Foundation, are a response to that need.

By providing funding alongside mentoring, industry support and a national platform, the programme will build the foundations for long-term success. In doing so, it will champion creative talent and help ensure the UK’s vibrant arts sector continues to thrive.

Investing in artists, creative freedom and access

Investing in artists
These bursaries are an investment in artists at a time when they need it most. We know artists need financial backing to progress and develop, so we’re committed to being the help they need.

Financially stable, creatively free
When you’re secure financially, you’re freer to develop. By offering money and support, we’re helping artists unlock their creative ambition, take greater risks and shine.

A wider net of access
The arts are for everyone, and great artists come from everywhere. So, in our search for talent, we’re keen to find artists from across the UK and support all groups and backgrounds.

Bold ideas
The bursaries are about celebrating originality, creative ambition and taking creative risks. We want them to reflect the full breadth of voices, perspectives and experiences across the UK.

With the arts, for the arts
We’re working closely with the arts sector to develop our bursaries, ensuring what we’re offering is tailored to what they most need.

“By investing in artists at this pivotal stage in their careers, we hope to give them the time, confidence and support to create ambitious new work and continue contributing to the UK's cultural life.”

Hans Rausing, Co-Founder of The Julia Rausing Trust

Julia Rausing

Julia Rausing was a British philanthropist, former art specialist at Christie's, and co-founder of The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, one of the United Kingdom’s largest charitable foundations. She built a successful career in the art world before dedicating herself to philanthropy, helping to direct hundreds of millions of pounds to charities and cultural life across the UK.

Following her death in 2024, The Julia Rausing Trust was established to continue the causes she cared about, including her deep belief in the power of art and culture to enrich public life.

The Sky Foundation

The Sky Foundation is an independent charitable foundation supporting organisations that make a lasting positive impact across the UK.

It will work through funding and partnerships across four priority areas: championing arts and culture, growing grassroots sport, bringing communities together, and protecting nature and the environment.

Established with Sky’s support, it brings ‘Believe in better’ to life as part of a long-standing commitment to make a meaningful difference to people, places and the planet.

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Sky Arts

Sky Arts is the UK's only dedicated arts channel, available free-to-air across the UK. Its mission is to bring more of the arts to more people by championing creativity, supporting artists and making arts and culture accessible to everyone.

Through original commissions, partnerships, live events and talent development initiatives, Sky Arts celebrates the breadth of artistic talent across the UK and provides a platform for artists and audiences to connect.

Sky Arts will deliver the Julia Rausing Sky Arts Bursaries on behalf of The Julia Rausing Trust, combining its expertise in championing artistic talent with the Trust's commitment to supporting artists and strengthening the UK's cultural landscape.

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The Space

The Space is a development agency dedicated to empowering the arts, culture and heritage sectors to make innovative work and engage audiences through digital and broadcast platforms.

An independent, not-for-profit organisation, The Space works through commissioning, co-production, mentoring and training programmes to support artists and creatives.

The Space is partnering with the Sky Foundation to support the delivery of the Julia Rausing Sky Arts Bursaries programme.

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Get in touch

If you have any questions about the Julia Rausing Sky Arts Bursaries please use the Contact Form to reach us

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