About: The cast of Vanessa in rehearsal in the Jerwood Studio, Glyndebourne, July 2018 - Photo: Richard Hubert-Smith © Glyndebourne Productions Ltd

Established in 1977 for John Jerwood MC (1918-1991) by Alan Grieve CBE, at the time Jerwood Foundation's primary mission and purpose was to support young people in their education and well-being, with humanity at the heart of the activities and initiatives. Alan Grieve established the Jerwood family of philanthropic arts organisations: Jerwood Foundation, Jerwood Charitable Foundation, Jerwood Space and Jerwood Collection. 

Between 1998 and 2012, Jerwood Foundation diversified its support for the visual and performing arts from solely funding revenue projects to giving its significant financial support and the Jerwood name to 18 high profile capital projects throughout the UK, reflecting its range of interests in the arts and education.  The first of which was Jerwood Space which opened in 1998. 

In 2022, Jerwood Foundation became a registered UK Charity and owns Jerwood Collection of Modern and Contemporary art as well as giving wide- ranging support to the arts in the UK.

In July 2023, Jerwood Foundation announced the intention to merge with Jerwood Arts (formerly Jerwood Charitable Foundation/Jerwood Charity), to create a single future-facing UK charitable Foundation, relevant for the political, social, and financial climate of the 21st century, and ensuring a sustainable future with maximum impact for beneficiaries. This merger took effect from 1 January 2024.

Since 1991, Jerwood has channelled over £110 million in support of the arts and education in the UK.

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The purpose of the Jerwood Collection of Modern and Contemporary art is to give public access to a privately-owned collection and to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of this period of British art. 

In 1993 the first work was bought for the Jerwood Collection by Alan Grieve CBE (Chairman emeritus, Jerwood Foundation) and the collection continues to grow with new acquisitions and donations under the direction of Lara Wardle. 

Jerwood Collection holds a significant number of paintings, works on paper, sculpture and prints by British artists such as Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Barbara Hepworth, John Piper, Stanley Spencer RA, Barbara Walker and Rose Wylie RA. The collection is widely accessible through loans to national and international institutions and inclusion on a number of digital platforms. Jerwood Collection is a Founder Partner of Art UK.

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Established by the Jerwood Foundation in 1998, Jerwood Space is now one of the most sought-after rehearsal studios in the UK. 

Housed in the converted buildings of a Victorian school in Southwark, this unique venue, known affectionately as ‘The Space’ is committed to providing theatre, musical theatre, opera and dance companies, emerging and established, with outstanding facilities, subsidised whenever possible; and always to promote the creation of the best work of art.

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