Welcome
Based in London’s Bedford Square, the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art is an educational charity and research institute that supports new ways of understanding British art history and culture.
What is Research Now?
Beginning 2 July 2025. Join us for a full year of programming around interconnected strands that ask us to think more curiously, critically and open-endedly about the role and practice of the arts. Details on individual events can be found below.
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linkArtists on Research
Join us from 4pm onwards on 2 July for Artists on Research featuring a series of conversations with artists such as Alberta Whittle and Grace Ndiritu reflecting on research-based practice.
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linkSeeing in the Dark
We continue the festival from 4pm on 3 July for Seeing in the Dark, which asks how the acts of seeing and looking must go beyond the visible world. Join Nick Mirzoeff, Nora Khan and more.
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linkArtificial Futures
Our final day begins from 2pm on 4 July. Artificial Futures is about art and AI in relation to how we work, our relationship with alterable histories and realities, and the ethics. Join Maya Indira Ganesh, Wesley Goatley and more.
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linkAll Day Events
Drop in to visit: The Horizon, an installation by Wesley Goatley (Critical Artist and Researcher) and the What is Research Now? Reading Room: A space to sit, read, reflect, talk.
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linkNews
Seeking to Appoint Two New Trustees to Join Our Board
We are seeking Trustees with experience of UK charity governance, grant giving human resources and more.
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linkNews
New British Art Studies Editor-in-Chief Appointed
Alixe Bovey has been appointed to the position of British Art Studies Editor-in-Chief.
Events
We run a thriving programme of events both in person and online. These events are geared to scholars, students and all those with a general interest in British art. They offer you the chance to engage with an extraordinary variety of topics, ideas and thinkers.
Conversations, an exhibition supported by the Paul Mellon Centre and held at the Walker Art Gallery in 2024.
supported by a Curatorial Research Grant.
Grants & Fellowships
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linkFunding Opportunities for Individuals
Support your research at any career stage with grants and fellowships from £2,000 to £60,000.
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linkFunding Opportunities for Organisations
Access grant funding to enhance curatorial projects, events, conservation initiatives, and collaborative research at your organisation.
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linkRecipients of Paul Mellon Centre Funding
In the last two decades, we have provided support for over 2,200 projects. Explore more via the lists of funding recipients.
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link360Giving
We believe in transparency and accountability. That's why we publish our grant data through 360Giving. Explore how our funding impacts the sector and drives research.
Publications
We publish peer-reviewed monographs and catalogues on an ever-expanding range of topics, alongside a host of innovative digital publications, including our open access journal British Art Studies.
Archives & Library
Visit our Public Study Room where you can explore our rich library and archival holdings. See below for how to make an appointment and search our catalogues.
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linkAccess our Archives & Library Collections
Visit our Public Study Room, make an enquiry, request digital copies, or search our catalogues.
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linkArchive Collections
The papers of art historians, museum directors, curators, dealers, art critics, collectors and others working on the history of British art and architecture.
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linkLibrary Collections
More than 26,000 books, pamphlets, exhibition catalogues and theses available for reference.
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linkPhoto Archive Collections
More than 100,000 reference photographs of British paintings, decorative painting, sculpture, drawings and prints now digitised.
Learning
We support young people to explore British art and art history by providing opportunities to share their unique perspectives and engage with ideas through a variety of approaches. We foster inclusive communities that prioritise collaboration and connection.
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linkBritish Art in Motion
A filmmaking opportunity inviting undergraduate students to bring ideas to life through moving image.
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linkWorkshops
Events for 18–24-year-olds exploring art and art history through hands-on workshops and behind-the-scenes experiences.
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linkWrite on Art
A national writing programme inviting 14-19-year-olds to share their creative, critical and personal responses to art through writing.
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linkArt Teachers Connect
Opportunities for teachers across the UK to gain new skills, develop confidence in teaching art and art history, and connect with a wider community of educators.
Networks
Our networks connect and support researchers and professionals engaging with British art, at different stages of their working lives.
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linkBritish Art Network
A network for curators, sharing expertise, research and ideas on British art.
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linkDoctoral Researchers Network
A supportive group of PhD students, offering academic and professional training.
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linkEarly Career Researchers Network
A supportive peer-to-peer network of people working to establish careers as researchers in British art.
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linkSupporting Emerging Researchers and Professionals
We also run competitions and events such as British Art in Motion and the Art Trade Seminar.