On Display!

A grant programme for museums who have objects they would love to have on display but are unable to do so due to a lack of suitable security or display options, aimed at enabling them to improve the security and display conditions of their collections and loans.

This grant is supported using public funding from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), through Arts Council England and is being administered by MDL.

This is a national programme of public funding distributed by Museum Development providers across the country, enabling more museums to benefit from funding and implement best practice.

Eligible London museums can improve display cases, purchase collection care materials to improve display conditions, purchase security measures such as alarms and CCTV, and improve overall exhibit presentation.

The main aims for the grants are to:

  • enable museums to improve their security to keep their own collections and loan objects safer
  • support museums to improve the care of objects on display, by providing better conditions for objects on display
  • encourage museums to borrow objects from nationals or larger regional museums now, or in future

How to apply

This grant has now closed for applications.

Current grants

In 2025–2026 the grant is funding the following museums:

  • Barnet Museum
  • Bentley Priory Museum
  • Bethlem Museum of the Mind
  • Bruce Castle Museum
  • Charles Dickens Museum
  • Emery Walker’s House
  • Handel Hendrix House
  • London Museum of Water & Steam

Projects will be completed by March 2026 and detailed case studies will be available from June 2026 onwards.

Funded by

Department for Culture, Media & Sport

Arts Council England

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