Artists' Benevolent Fund

Artists' Benevolent Fund, 16a, Great Queen Street, instituted 1810, incorporated 1827. Consists of two distinct branches : the Artists' Annuity Fund, and the Artists' Benevolent Fund. The first is supported by the contributions of its members, for their own relief in sickness or superannuation. All artists of merit in painting, sculpture, architecture, and engraving are eligible to become members, the annual payments to which are regulated by the age of the member, increasing a small sum every year. The second is supported by the patrons of the Fine Arts, for the relief of the widows and orphans of the members of the Annuity Fund. And the whole is under the direction of the president and ten subscribers to the Benevolent Fund, annually elected by the subscribers, and by members of the Annuity Fund, annually elected by its members. Every artist proposed as a member of the Annuity Fund must be balloted for, and approved by the committee of the Benevolent Fund, in order to entitle his widow and children to its benefits. During the past year 54 widows have received annuities amounting to £801 :5, and 17 orphans the sum of £76 : 5. The income is about £1, 200 per annum, derived half from dividends, and the other half from present voluntary contributions.
Secretary, A. Thiselton, Esq.