Convening Grants
The Terra Foundation for American Art actively supports projects that interrogate and broaden definitions of American art. Grant funding is available for programs that foster exchange and collaboration, such as workshops, symposia, and colloquia. Programs should advance innovative and experimental research and professional practice in American art and address critical issues facing the field. We also welcome requests for convenings intended to inform projects in their early stages, which will benefit from the learning and practice that can be developed through dialogue.
This program is open to organizations within and outside of the United States. Convenings held in person and/or online are eligible for support.
Recognizing current and historical inequities in the presentations and understandings of American art history, we encourage projects across our grant programs that respond to these imbalances and exclusions. To expand histories of American art, we seek projects that are committed to inclusive and equitable research and creative practice; generate new scholarship and interpretive frameworks; employ critical methodologies and innovative models; and/or engage diverse partners and audiences. In addition, we lend support for projects that build on existing initiatives at institutions engaged in transforming or complicating how the story of American art is told.
For Terra Foundation consideration, convenings should engage with American and/or Native American arts, including historical and/or or contemporary art. Convenings centered on contemporary art should manifest a critical and reflective engagement with American or Native American histories, arts, and art histories.
Convening grants are typically between $10,000 and $25,000 unless an award outside this range is warranted by unusual circumstances. Up to 15% of a Terra Foundation grant may be applied to indirect costs. The Terra Foundation prefers not to be the sole outside contributor to an event.
While the Terra Foundation welcomes recurring requests over time, organizations that submit applications in subsequent years should note that the foundation aims to fund a broad array of organizations. Due to this program’s competitive nature, prior support does not ensure the acceptance of subsequent requests.
For convenings and education programs connected to permanent collection reinstallations or temporary exhibitions, please apply through the Re-envisioning Permanent Collections program and Exhibitions program, respectively. Please contact us if the timing of your convening does not meet the requirements of these programs.
