Bentley Priory Museum in Stanmore has been selected as one of the nine recipients of the Imperial War Museums’ (IWM) art commissioning programme.
The programme is part of the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund, a national partnership programme comprising over 20 artist commissions inspired by the heritage of conflict.
The IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund was established following the success of 14-18 NOW, the official UK arts programme for the First World War centenary. The Museum’s commission will explore the contribution of women in the RAF today and the impact of conflict on their lives, taking inspiration from their predecessors in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), whose contribution during the Battle of Britain was vital but silenced by the Official Secrets Act.
The Stanmore Museum’s commission is among the nine new commissions that will each receive £20,000 from the IWM’s art commissioning programme, which is funded by a share of the royalties from Peter Jackson’s critically acclaimed film, They Shall Not Grow Old, co-commissioned by IWM and 14-18 NOW.
Rebecca Newell, Head of Art for Imperial War Museums says, “The IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy fund builds on Imperial War Museums’ rich and longstanding history of commissioning art. One year into this programme, we are delighted by the diversity of exceptional arts experiences that have been created and shared with audiences.
“We look forward to expanding this work with artists, organisations and communities across the UK, continuing to highlight stories of conflict in engaging and creative ways.”
For more information about the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund, please visit the IWM website.
