News – The Woven Foundation

News

The Woven Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities and fostering innovation that transforms lives.

Through our awards and initiatives, we support individuals in building new skills and forging brighter futures. Here, we share stories and insights that reflect our mission to empower people and uplift communities. Join us in weaving positive change together.

AN EXCEPTIONAL LEGACY

In celebration of our ten year anniversary, we are proud to release our legacy report - 250 Success Stories Later.

This report celebrates the campaign’s impact, brings to life inspiring stories and insights, and offers recommendations to support a more equitable employment landscape.

September 2026

2 minute read

The Art Fund - Going places

The Woven Foundation is delighted to commit to funding the Art Fund’s innovative Going Places Programme, for the next three years.

This new UK-wide programme will engage underrepresented audiences with museum collections through collaborative touring exhibitions. Five networks of small to mid-sized museums, will produce two touring exhibitions by 2030.

July 2026

2 minute read

MORE EXCEPTIONAL STORIES

Following the successful reception of the first series of Exceptional Voices, we’re back with more inspiring stories of inclusive employment.

Guests in this season include global employers KPMG who have diversified their recruitment welcome in people with convictions, as well as award wining social enterprises nurturing sustainable growth and an expert providing insight into risk management in inclusive employment.

May 2026

2 minute read

MAKING IT AT SOMERSET HOUSE

Explore the inspiring film series, created by Somerset House, as part of their pioneering Upgrade Yourself programme. The Woven Foundation supported the development of this series which unlocks creative careers for young people.

This initiative reflects our belief in the importance of clear and accessible routes into the creative industries, to diversify the sector and multiply opportunity.

March 2026

2 minute read

MUSEO JUMEX RESIDENCY AT SLG

This year The South London Gallery welcomes La Colección Jumex, Mexico, into their Fire Station Galleries with an ambitious programme of exhibitions curated by Museo Jumex’s Chief Curator Kit Hammonds.

To facilitate the delivery of this dynamic cultural residency, we have funded a new Producer and Registrar Role at the SLG.

September 2025

2 minute read

TWF Research Project

The Woven Foundation is currently reviewing its Curatorial Fellowship programme in light of the continued economic challenges facing museums and galleries.

We aim to strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring the sustainability and well-being of curatorial professionals often overextended in the current climate.

January 2025

2 minute read

THE SYLVA FOUNDATION

Discover the inspiring journey of Christoph Kurzmann, a talented craftsman supported by The Woven Foundation and the Sylva Foundation.

With the resources of the Sylva Wood Centre, Christoph turned his passion for sustainable design into a thriving business.

September 2024

2 minute read

THE COTTON ARCHIVE

The Museum of the Home, in partnership with The Woven Foundation, worked on a pioneering project involving the digitisation of the Cotton Collection of English Regional Chairs and British Furniture.

Expanding access across the UK and globally, this initiative reflects the charity's ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating British craft heritage.

March 2024

2 minute read

Minnie's Fellowship Journey

Minnie’s fellowship with the Woven Foundation at the Foundling Museum was transformative. She brought the powerful stories of the museum’s foundling tokens to life through innovative digital projects, including the Take This Token podcast.

This experience marked a turning point in her career, equipping her with valuable skills and leaving a lasting impact on the museum’s digital engagement.

December 2023

2 minute read

Exceptional Voices Podcast

The Exceptional Voices Podcast explores prison leaver employment across a range of commercial sectors, from the established to the unexpected.

Each conversation follows the employer’s journey, from initial interest all the way through to a successful hire, as well as the meaningful relationships built by the experience.

April 2023

2 minute read

THE WOVEN FOUNDATION LAUNCH

The Woven Foundation launch event took place in Autumn 2023 at The Foundling Museum, bringing together charity partners and award recipients. Celebrating 40 years of impact, the event reflected on past achievements and looked ahead to the foundation’s future as a catalyst for new thinking and positive social change.

November 2023

2 minute read

SPAB SCHOLARSHIP

Explore the 2023 SPAB Lethaby Scholarship, where Laura Brain, Genevieve Gorham, Lewis Hobbs, and Fred Palmer honed their skills in historic building conservation.

Explore the 2023 SPAB Lethaby Scholarship, where Laura Brain, Genevieve Gorham, Lewis Hobbs, and Fred Palmer honed their skills in historic building conservation.

May 2023

2 minute read

EXCEPTIONAL VOICES BREAKING BARRIERS

For National Inclusion Week 2022, The Woven Foundation hosted a live panel discussion on workplace diversity from a prison leaver perspective at The Conduit in Covent Garden, London.

October 2022

2 minute read

AN EXCEPTIONAL LEGACY

In celebration of our ten year anniversary, we are proud to release our legacy report - 250 Success Stories Later.

This report celebrates the campaign’s impact, brings to life inspiring stories and insights, and offers recommendations to support a more equitable employment landscape.

September 2026

2 minute read

The Art Fund - Going places

The Woven Foundation is delighted to commit to funding the Art Fund’s innovative Going Places Programme, for the next three years.

This new UK-wide programme will engage underrepresented audiences with museum collections through collaborative touring exhibitions. Five networks of small to mid-sized museums, will produce two touring exhibitions by 2030.

July 2026

2 minute read

MORE EXCEPTIONAL STORIES

Following the successful reception of the first series of Exceptional Voices, we’re back with more inspiring stories of inclusive employment.

Guests in this season include global employers KPMG who have diversified their recruitment welcome in people with convictions, as well as award wining social enterprises nurturing sustainable growth and an expert providing insight into risk management in inclusive employment.

May 2026

2 minute read

MAKING IT AT SOMERSET HOUSE

Explore the inspiring film series, created by Somerset House, as part of their pioneering Upgrade Yourself programme. The Woven Foundation supported the development of this series which unlocks creative careers for young people.

This initiative reflects our belief in the importance of clear and accessible routes into the creative industries, to diversify the sector and multiply opportunity.

March 2026

2 minute read

MUSEO JUMEX RESIDENCY AT SLG

This year The South London Gallery welcomes La Colección Jumex, Mexico, into their Fire Station Galleries with an ambitious programme of exhibitions curated by Museo Jumex’s Chief Curator Kit Hammonds.

To facilitate the delivery of this dynamic cultural residency, we have funded a new Producer and Registrar Role at the SLG.

September 2025

2 minute read

TWF Research Project

The Woven Foundation is currently reviewing its Curatorial Fellowship programme in light of the continued economic challenges facing museums and galleries.

We aim to strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring the sustainability and well-being of curatorial professionals often overextended in the current climate.

January 2025

2 minute read

THE SYLVA FOUNDATION

Discover the inspiring journey of Christoph Kurzmann, a talented craftsman supported by The Woven Foundation and the Sylva Foundation.

With the resources of the Sylva Wood Centre, Christoph turned his passion for sustainable design into a thriving business.

September 2024

2 minute read

THE COTTON ARCHIVE

The Museum of the Home, in partnership with The Woven Foundation, worked on a pioneering project involving the digitisation of the Cotton Collection of English Regional Chairs and British Furniture.

Expanding access across the UK and globally, this initiative reflects the charity's ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating British craft heritage.

March 2024

2 minute read

Minnie's Fellowship Journey

Minnie’s fellowship with the Woven Foundation at the Foundling Museum was transformative. She brought the powerful stories of the museum’s foundling tokens to life through innovative digital projects, including the Take This Token podcast.

This experience marked a turning point in her career, equipping her with valuable skills and leaving a lasting impact on the museum’s digital engagement.

December 2023

2 minute read

Exceptional Voices Podcast

The Exceptional Voices Podcast explores prison leaver employment across a range of commercial sectors, from the established to the unexpected.

Each conversation follows the employer’s journey, from initial interest all the way through to a successful hire, as well as the meaningful relationships built by the experience.

April 2023

2 minute read

THE WOVEN FOUNDATION LAUNCH

The Woven Foundation launch event took place in Autumn 2023 at The Foundling Museum, bringing together charity partners and award recipients. Celebrating 40 years of impact, the event reflected on past achievements and looked ahead to the foundation’s future as a catalyst for new thinking and positive social change.

November 2023

2 minute read

SPAB SCHOLARSHIP

Explore the 2023 SPAB Lethaby Scholarship, where Laura Brain, Genevieve Gorham, Lewis Hobbs, and Fred Palmer honed their skills in historic building conservation.

Explore the 2023 SPAB Lethaby Scholarship, where Laura Brain, Genevieve Gorham, Lewis Hobbs, and Fred Palmer honed their skills in historic building conservation.

May 2023

2 minute read

EXCEPTIONAL VOICES BREAKING BARRIERS

For National Inclusion Week 2022, The Woven Foundation hosted a live panel discussion on workplace diversity from a prison leaver perspective at The Conduit in Covent Garden, London.

October 2022

2 minute read