The Dame Myra Hess Charity honours the legacy of Dame Myra Hess DBE, who during the Second World War famously transformed the National Gallery into a place of refuge by hosting the now historic lunchtime concerts that provided Londoners with music, hope, and cultural life during the most difficult of times.

Inspired by her legacy, our mission is to continue this spirit today by making high-quality piano music accessible to everyone, especially those who may not have access to it otherwise.

Our Vision

Our goal is to bring world-class performances out of traditional, often exclusive environments and into everyday spaces where Londoners live, work and gather. We believe that London, as one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse cultural capitals, is the ideal stage for this.

Our strategy is rooted in cultural equity. We believe that high-level artistry should be a shared experience rather than a luxury, and we are building a roadmap that prioritises public engagement and accessibility.

The Dame Myra Hess Piano Award

Our very first project will be the ‘The Dame Myra Hess Piano Award’ – our work begins with artistic excellence. The Dame Myra Hess Piano Award will identify and support exceptionally gifted, young professional pianists at the highest level.

By launching the award in one of London’s leading venues, we set a clear artistic standard and give outstanding musicians the visibility they deserve. These artists will then become ambassadors for our mission, bringing the highest level of performance from the concert hall into the wider community as well as offering performance opportunities to young aspiring artists.

Our Impact

As we grow, our aim is to deliver cultural and social benefits that extend far beyond the traditional stage. Our roadmap focuses on reaching new and diverse audiences who do not typically attend formal performances, effectively dismantling the barriers that have historically surrounded classical music.

Our goal is simple: to make world-class classical music a visible, shared part of everyday life in London and to ensure that Dame Myra Hess’s legacy of resilience and generosity continues to live on.