Foundling Museum

Who we are

The Foundling Museum tells the compelling story of Thomas Coram’s Hospital for foundlings, the UK’s first ever children’s charity, now named Coram, and its first public art gallery, now the Foundling Museum.
Inspired by three great 18th-century activists - Thomas Coram, William Hogarth and George Frideric Handel - our mission is to inspire change and transform lives through the power of the arts. We believe in creative action that brings past and present together, to stimulate imaginations and enrich lives.

Examples of our work include:
· Art projects which explore how our historic story of care still resonates today by addressing stigma and supporting mental health. We do this by working in a connected way, establishing collaborations with local health and community partners.
· ‘Tracing Our Tales’, our flagship training programme for care-experienced young people which was named Learning Programme of the Year at the 2022 Museums and Heritage Awards. Supported by our Learning Team, trainees learn art or creative writing skills in weekly sessions led by dynamic artists and poets, to build a creative portfolio.
· Exhibitions, collections and displays, ranging from tiny, touching identifying tokens left by mothers with their babies, to composer George Frideric Handel’s will. Around the Museum, you’ll find works of art by contemporary artists like Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, Tracey Emin and Michael Craig-Martin, as well as 18th-century artists William Hogarth, Thomas Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds.

‘A seaman, a composer and a painter, and the moving story of the charity they started 270 years ago. It is a recipe of art and care, which still looks after kids today. Coram, Handel, Hogarth, what’s not to love?’ - Grayson Perry CBE, Foundling Museum Trustee

Our culture and values

VISION  
A FORCE FOR CHANGE: Celebrating the work of artists to inspire positive change in the lives of vulnerable children.     

MISSION  
CREATIVE ACTION FOR CHILDREN: Bringing past and present together to stimulate imaginations and enrich young lives.  

ART TRANSFORMING LIVES: We move individuals to take action that transforms lives and creates a lasting impact on society.  

 VALUES  

  BOLD: With a campaigning spirit and the courage of our convictions, we challenge the world to take action through the arts  

  PLAYFUL: We’re serious about our work, but don’t take ourselves too seriously. For us, play means a light touch and an inquisitive attitude.  

COMPASSIONATE: We care for each other, our artists, and our visitors, striving together to enrich the lives of disadvantaged children.  

OPEN: We’re welcoming, generous-spirited and inquisitive, with a can-do attitude that thrives on collaboration. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We are guided by our values and we recognise that being a diverse and inclusive employer helps us respond to and meet the needs of those that we work with and for. We treat all employees as individuals, fairly and in a consistent way, and promote a culture of respect and dignity. We embrace the diversity of our workforce and we are dedicated to creating a working environment in which diversity makes a positive contribution to achieving our organisational goals. We believe that an equal, diverse and inclusive community is integral to ensuring mission of creative action for children using art to transform lives.