InPractice is organised by the Painter-Stainers Company in collaboration with a network of leading arts, professional and creative practitioners.

The origins of the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers (the ‘Company’) go as far back as the medieval period, when artists first joined together to form the ‘Paynters’ Guild. Like other guilds, the Company was initially set up to protect, regulate and maintain professional standards. But that role has evolved as market dynamics have changed.

Since the 19th century, the Company’s focus has been on supporting arts education. We were among the first to inaugurate training in art and craftwork and we continue to support and initiate programmes that encourage not just painting and drawing, but also other areas of the fine and decorative arts.

Currently, we grant financial awards to support fine art undergraduates at leading London art colleges, including:

• Annual scholarships at the Slade School of Fine Art and City & Guilds of London Art School
• Two fellowships at Heatherley School of Fine Art
• An annual Decorative Surface Fellowship to a fine art graduate at City & Guilds 
• A Masters in the History of Art with the UCL Art History Department

To encourage future generations of artists we also provide annual prizes for schools in London and the South East.

InPractice is the latest in a long list of initiatives introduced by the Company to benefit the creative arts.