ART Fund is the national fundraising charity for art, which gives a helping hand to museums and galleries in acquiring great artworks for all to appreciate. For more than 100 years, the Art Fund has supported a wide range of museums and galleries throughout the UK, including several within Cumbria such as Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery at Carlisle, and Kendal's Abbot Hall Art Gallery, helping them buy works for their esteemed collections.

Ambleside's excellent Armitt Museum and Library has also received sterling support from the Art Fund to buy several important examples of Kurt Schwitters’ Lakeland work. Last year alone, the Armitt bought five pieces with Art Fund grants such as Silver Howe, Grasmere (1945) and Untitled (Old Ambleside, 1945-47).

The Art Fund does not benefit from any statutory funding and is extremely fortunate to receive financial support from a variety of sources, including from its nigh on 123,000 members, individual philanthropists and corporate donors, generous legacies as well as a network of volunteer fundraising committees who organise a calendar of events and activities within their area to raise money.

The Cumbria region has one such committee and its chairman Philip Cropper is seeking new members for its volunteer committee, who will - among other exciting art-related activities - help raise funds locally to secure important art for all to enjoy.

Being an Art Fund member has it fringe benefits: through the National Art Pass, they can gain free entry to more than 225 museums, galleries and historic houses as well as 50 per cent off entry to major exhibitions.

Plus members also receive a copy of the Art Fund Quarterly Magazine, which is a terrific and informative read.

For further details visit artfund.org/cumbria.