Sir John Soane's Museum Foundation

The Soane into the Future

Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation, along with Sir John Soane’s Museum in London are, independently and collectively, each striving to secure the future of each of the organization’s for the public good and enjoyment of programs and study.

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE FOUNDATION: Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation’s mission is to foster a lively educational forum in the fields of art, architecture and the decorative arts within the Soanean tradition to American audiences and to assist financially Sir John Soane’s Museum in London.

The Soane Foundation here in the United States is seeking long-term funding and endowment funds so that education programs and activities can continue with strength into the future. One of the key roles of the Foundation is to help secure funds in support of special projects at the Museum.

Areas in which we are seeking support for within the United States:
       ° Soane Lecture Series underwriting for the near or long term
       ° Soane Seminar Series underwriting (these often provide AIA accreditation credit for continuing education of          architectures)
       ° Traveling Fellowship funding for graduate students to conduct special research in and around the Soane Museum
       ° General funding
       ° Endowment

And looking to London, we are seeking support to assist in the current 5-year bricks-and-mortar plan entitled Opening Up the Soane, plus other key areas, including:
       ° Exhibition gallery funding for shows and related catalogues
       ° Conservation of collections
       ° Acquisitions funding to provide a pool of funds available for acquisition of Soane related items that may appear at          auction or for sale
       ° Children’s education programs and workshops
       ° Replacement funding to provide a pool of funds for replacement of such items as worn carpets and materials, etc.
       ° Soane Lecture Series long-term underwriting
       ° Technology innovations including such items as audio and podcast guide tours
       ° Endowing positions of the Museum Director, Deputy Director, Librarian, Chief Conservator, and more - all are          named opportunities.

WAYS TO BE INVOLVED

The Soane Foundation and the Soane Museum accept donation of cash and appreciated stock. We would be pleased to discuss with you other forms of funding which you may have in mind.

There are many ways to be involved, in 2008 the Soane Foundation launched the new Soane Collector’s Circle, a recognition society for donors of $10,000 and above. This special group will have a gathering once a year in London for behind-the-scenes looks at the Soane and other museum and private collections. The kick-off two day event in November 2008 included a private reception at No. 10 Downing Street hosted by Mrs. Gordon Brown to see the Soane designed rooms of 1825-26. Additionally, there are other membership levels and you can find details on our JOIN US page.

STATEMENT ABOUT THE MUSEUM AND FUNDING: Sir John Soane’s Museum, London, a public Museum since 1837, is designated by the UK Government as one of only 12 National Museums, which entitles it to an annual public grant. This funds approximately three-quarters of the Museum’s core annual expenses (salaries, security, services, etc) and the mandatory free public admission. The remaining core funding is raised through fees (retail sales, hire of Museum, licensing agreements) and generous donations by foundations, corporations and individuals both in the UK and USA. The Museum must raise capital sums for conservation of the 500,000+ items in the collections, restoration of the three Grade 1 Listed buildings, education programs and special exhibitions; none of which receive core government funding. The $12 million ‘Opening up the Soane’ capital campaign will be raised from private sources.

All these efforts are even more important than ever for both organization’s given the recent swings in the world economies, and yet programs and activities need to go onwards.