Exhibition Grants

Grants will offset planning and/or implementation costs for temporary exhibitions primarily comprising artworks that are not part of the institution’s permanent collection. Funds may be used for costs associated with:

• planning and research, including short-term positions (e.g. research fellows or assistants), convenings, travel, and advisory committees
• interpretation
• artist fees (except for commissions)
• shipping, crating, couriers, insurance, and object loan fees
• construction of temporary gallery walls
• conservation/framing
• programs
• marketing
• dissemination of research, whether in digital or print form

We encourage written materials to be multilingual when possible and relevant to the project and/or its audiences.

We are also happy to support related staff positions (up to 25% of the award amount) and indirect costs (up to 15% of the award amount).

We encourage projects that:

• collectively reflect the full breadth and complexity of American art and its histories through the artists represented, voices included, and stories told
• engage artists, scholars, and communities who present a plurality of perspectives and methods, including intercultural and interdisciplinary approaches
• catalyze inclusive and expansive practices in the field of American art

All applicants must hold United States 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or its international equivalent.

Only the project organizer(s) may apply for support. If co-organizing with a partner museum, the co-organizers are encouraged to apply jointly. If co-organizers do not apply jointly, we accept only one grant inquiry per project, from whichever organization applies first (even if that letter of inquiry does not get invited to the proposal stage). Grants are not made to individuals.

We do not accept applications for Exhibition Grants from the same institution two consecutive years if a grant has been awarded. For example, if you were awarded an Exhibition Grant in 2023, you can apply for another Exhibition grant to be awarded in 2025. However, if you received a grant for planning only, you may apply for an implementation grant for the same project the following year.

Currently, we do not accept requests for:

• the creation or acquisition of existing or commissioned artwork
• acquisitions or capital expenditures or permanent equipment (including technology, construction other than temporary gallery walls, contracted exhibition or architectural design, exhibition furniture/vitrines, etc.)
• projects that are exclusively online
• projects previously opened that are touring to new venues
• grant inquiries or proposals previously declined through this program

Grant Inquiry Form
Use the Apply Now buttons to submit a grant inquiry form by the deadline listed on this page. After reviewing the inquiry, the foundation may invite you to submit a grant proposal.

Grant Proposal
If invited, prospective applicants submit a grant proposal. Formal proposals and all attachments must be written in English. Grant proposals are reviewed by an external panel made up of curators and arts professionals who reflect a diverse range of backgrounds, perspectives, and approaches.