Futures Fund Open Call
8th January — 22nd May 2026
The Hospital Rooms Futures Fund Art Project Open Call is open to applications from NHS Trusts.
To celebrate our 10th year, we are aiming to raise £1 million for the Hospital Rooms Futures Fund.
The Futures Fund will allow Hospital Rooms to invest between £6,000 and £500,000 in NHS Art Projects prioritising the following categories:
NHS Mental Health Estate Uplift Projects: We know that mental health hospital buildings are clinical in nature and too often in poor condition. We willl support you to elevate the quality of your hospital building by installing world class artworks in these spaces. All types of mental health services can apply to this fund.
Young People Projects: We know artistic interventions in Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services can build self esteem, confidence and skills in young people. We will deliver young person centred creative programmes and artworks in these spaces. Only Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services can apply to this fund.
We invite NHS Trusts to apply to the Futures Fund for projects taking place 2027 – 2029.
In either category, you can apply at a different level:
Ward Transformation: from £45,000
Hospital or Service Transformation: from £150,000
The Futures Fund has also ringfenced a portion of funding to support mental health hospitals to embed the Digital Art School within their services.
Digital Art School Integration: from £6,000
NHS Trusts are required to financially contribute to the project at the same level of Hospital Rooms. A bespoke project scope and budget will be created for each shortlisted applicant.
If you are from an NHS Trust and would like to collaborate with us, please read the guidance below and submit an application form from January 2026. There are two deadlines, on 20 March 2026 and 22 May 2026. Applications will be processed and reviewed as they are received.
Hospital Rooms receives more applications for projects than we are able to undertake. We are very grateful for your time in submitting an application and we offer feedback and support to all NHS Trusts who apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
NHS Trusts and Provider Collaboratives who provide mental health services can apply for a Futures Fund Art Project.
No. Hospital Rooms Futures Fund projects are delivered in partnership with Hospital Rooms. Funding cannot be applied for to support independently run projects or existing programmes led solely by the NHS Trust.
Yes. NHS Trusts may apply for multiple services or sites, where appropriate. We encourage Trusts to make an individual application for each service they would like to be considered clearly outlining the particular scope, context and needs of that site.
No. The Futures Fund is open to NHS Trusts only. Artists are commissioned directly by Hospital Rooms as part of each project. Artists interested in working with Hospital Rooms are encouraged to register their interest via our Expressions of Interest (EOI) form.
Hospital Rooms works across a range of inpatient mental health settings, including forensic units, psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs), rehabilitation wards, dementia care, and Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Trusts and Provider Collaboratives providing these and wider mental health services are encouraged to apply.
- Applications are open from Tuesday 20th January. There will be two deadlines for applications – 20th March and 22nd May 2026
- All applicants will receive confirmation of their application from Hospital Rooms on submission. Shortlisted NHS Trusts will be notified within 6 weeks of submission, when we will work with you collaboratively to create a full project scope and final proposal. Final costed recommendations for projects will go to our board of Trustees.
- All successful NHS Trusts will be notified of their outcome in early July 2026.
- All unsuccessful NHS Trusts will be offered feedback and access to future opportunities with Hospital Rooms
If your Trust is not selected, there will still be opportunities to collaborate in the future. An Expressions of Interest form will be available from 1st August 2026, allowing Trusts to register their interest for upcoming projects beyond the 2027-29 cycle.
For Futures Sound Art Projects, NHS Trusts will be required to match Hospital Rooms’ financial contribution. This ensures commitment from our collaborators. For this round, contributions start at £6,000. Full details are in our guidance.
The project includes a series of creative workshops where artists collaborate with patients, staff, and those with lived experience. These sessions shape the final artworks, ensuring they are meaningful, inclusive, and appropriate for the setting. The artworks will be fabricated to museum-quality standards while meeting all NHS safety and infection control requirements.
Hospital Rooms commits to:
- Commissioning high-caliber artists to create site-specific artworks.
- Supporting NHS staff with training and networking opportunities.
- Organizing a public exhibition and promotional campaign to celebrate the project.
- Ensuring compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, and equality policies.
- Assisting with fundraising efforts for the remaining project costs.
Please review the project guidelines carefully. If you have any questions, comments, or require any assistance with completing the application or need the information in an alternative format, please contact projects@hospital-rooms.com
