A new £300,000 fund for regional museums and galleries has been created by The John Ellerman Foundation - a foundation set up to fund organisations working in the arts, environment and welfare.

The fund is aiming to hand out between three and four grants each year, with each grant lasting for up to three years.

The foundation are looking for applicants who can show an emphasis on the value of curatorial skills with a commitment to excellence, innovation and audience development, while also being able to create a lasting legacy with any funding they may receive.

Applicants will also need to show strong leadership skills at board and senior management level and be able to show effective financial management.

The first deadline for applications is 25 October with funding for successful applications expected to be released in April 2014.