Sinfonia Smith Square Foundation

The Sinfonia Smith Square Foundation is the philanthropic arm sustaining Sinfonia Smith Square, a pioneering London-based orchestra born from the merger of Southbank Sinfonia and St John’s Smith Square. Established by leaders like Simon Over, Michael Berman, and Katharine Verney, it champions the next generation of professional classical musicians through the world-leading orchestral Fellowship programme and stewardship of the iconic Smith Square Hall in Westminster. Its mission centers on transformative professional development for early-career graduates, blending artistic excellence, leadership training, and creative opportunities across genres. Core values—accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and equity—drive free auditions, living bursaries for all 34 annual Fellows, and barrier-free participation regardless of background.

The Foundation exclusively funds Sinfonia Smith Square’s initiatives, including artist fellowships, educational outreach to Westminster schools (especially for special needs and autism), audience engagement, performance projects, and capital enhancements for the Grade I-listed Hall, such as sustainability upgrades and digital innovation. Beneficiaries encompass emerging musicians (with global alumni in top orchestras), local communities, families, and underrepresented groups, yielding outcomes in career acceleration, sector leadership, and cultural enrichment through recitals, festivals, and cross-arts collaborations.

It does not accept unsolicited applications from external organisations or charities; all resources are internally allocated for strategic, multi-year impact via trustee discretion. Individual musicians worldwide may apply for the Orchestral Fellowship (next round opens November 2025, deadline 30 January 2026) or Organ Fellowship (closes 10 January 2025), submitting forms and auditions via the website. No typical grant ranges or income/geographic restrictions apply externally, distinguishing it as a venue-integrated, artist-centered funder prioritizing organisational resilience and social impact in classical music over open philanthropy.