HLF Skills for the Future

The Whitechapel Gallery has been awarded £256,700 by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the continuation of the Skills for the Future Traineeship programme.

The programme provides paid immersive placements for six Trainees per year at the Gallery, and the new grant secures our delivery of these opportunities for a further two cohorts, finishing in 2016.

Skills for the Future aims to professionalise and diversify the heritage sector workforce through the provision of entry-level work experience opportunities supported by the expertise of our staff, and augmented with a structured training programme and an accredited qualification, the EDI Level 3 Diploma in Cultural Heritage.

Previous Whitechapel Gallery Skills for the Future alumni have secured permanent employment directly relevant to their training, at peer organisations including Art Angel, the BFI, the ICA, Modern Art Oxford, the Royal Academy, the Southbank Centre, and Tate.

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, HLF invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 36,000 projects with £6bn across the UK.

‘The generous funding of the Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled us to continue our provision of valuable paid entry level routes to the arts for aspiring young people. The Whitechapel Gallery is extremely proud of what has been achieved and thank the Heritage Lottery fund for their continued support.’ Clare Hawkins, Administration Manager, Whitechapel Gallery

‘This training programme provided me with the support and encouragement to develop my skills in Communications and secure a career in the heritage industry.’ Lizzy Evans, HLF Communications Trainee 2014-15