Transparency
How We work:
“Jupiter Artland brings together private cultural philanthropy and a public charitable mission in a structure designed to direct as many resources as possible towards creative learning. This page is an open account of how we are run and financed. We believe transparency is inseparable from our values and from our commitment to being genuinely accessible”
Nicky Wilson
How the Founders Relate to the Foundation:
The Wilsons’ relationship with Jupiter Artland Foundation is one of continued philanthropic support and governance not financial benefit. Neither receive salary, trustee fees, rent payments, distributions, or any other financial return from the charity. This means that 100% of admission revenue is directed to the Jupiter Learning Foundation, funding creative learning programmes for young people across Scotland.
What the Foundation earns:
Earned income:
Admission fees: (Feb-December season)
100% directed to Learning Foundation programmes
The Artist’s House: accommodation bookings
Revenue supports operational costs
Gateway pool bookings: (public swimming sessions)
Revenue supports operational costs
Café Party and Shop sales:
Revenue supports operational costs
Event partnerships :(Jupiter Rising, etc.)
Revenue supports programmes and operations
Grant Funding: Competitive grants from arts funders to support Jupiter + Project-specific funding for exhibitions and programmes
Private Support: Individual membership donations, Corporate partnerships, Philanthropic gifts.
What your admission makes possible:
The Foundation funds educational programmes, artist programmes, artist fees, exhibition costs, professional staff salaries, operational costs, and community engagement.
The Learning Foundation supports:
- Orbit – a year-long mentoring programme for young people aged 15–17, combining studio visits, artist encounters, and peer learning HERE
- Jupiter+ satellite creative residencies and projects at sites across Scotland, including in Dundee HERE
- School partnerships -bringing young people to Jupiter and taking Jupiter into schools, prioritising those with least access to arts experiences HERE
We offer concessions, free school visits, and supported access for groups who could not otherwise attend. If cost is a barrier, please get in touch.
It does not fund art acquisitions, founder salaries, trustee remuneration, or rent to property owners.
Governance & Leadership:
Jupiter Artland Foundation is a Scottish registered charity, regulated by OSCR charity number SC036239 Jupiter is governed by a Board of Trustees who serve without remuneration. Trustees are recruited against an agreed skills matrix and bring deep experience across the areas of cultural leadership, law, finance, education and philanthropy . We are indebted to the Trustees for their time, given freely and their continued generous support of the organisation.
Trustee’s :
Nicky Wilson – Chair and Director, full-time artistic and strategic leadership, without salary, since 2009.
Robert Wilson – Governance/ Business
Alberta Whittle- Artist
Douglas Brotherton- Finance/Charity
Diana Mckmicking -learning/Charitable
Rory Wilson -Legal
Trustees meet 3 times a year with the finance committee meeting once a month. Jupiter is currently recruiting.
Our Team:
Jupiter Artland Foundation employs between 45 and 90 staff across the year, with numbers reflecting the seasonal nature of our public programme (February to December). Our team includes curatorial and learning specialists, programme coordinators, visitor services, operations, and hospitality staff. All staff are fairly compensated for their work. Artists are paid the Artist Union as a minimum.
FAQs:
Who owns the artworks? The sculpture collection is privately commissioned and owned by Robert and Nicky Wilson, who have made it available for public access and educational use through the Foundation. No charitable funds have been used for acquisitions.
Who owns the estate? Bonnington House and the surrounding estate are privately owned by the Wilson family. The Foundation accesses it under a peppercorn rent arrangement, allowing charitable resources to focus on programmes.
Why wasn’t the collection donated to the charity? This model allows the founders to continue commissioning new work using private wealth, without drawing on charitable funds. Donating the collection to the charity would require it to fund future acquisitions from charitable income, reducing what is available for learning programmes. The current arrangement means admission revenue funds people, not property or purchases.
How is the arrangement regulated? Jupiter Artland Foundation is regulated by OSCR, which reviews our charitable status, governance, and public benefit. Our accounts are independently audited and publicly available through the OSCR register.
Where can I see your accounts?
Our annual accounts are publicly available through OSCR.
Regulations?
Jupiter Artland Foundation is regulated by OSCR, which reviews our charitable status, governance, and public benefit. Our accounts are independently audited and publicly available through the OSCR register. We have a full suite of policies available for view here.
How can I support Jupiter Artland Foundation?
- Visit during our season — 100% of admissions fund educational programmes
- Book The Artist’s House or a Gateway pool swimming session
- Make a donation
- Become a corporate partner
- Volunteer your time or expertise