Recognizing the importance of experiencing original works of art firsthand, the Terra Foundation supports exhibitions that increase the understanding and appreciation of historical American art (circa 1500–1980). The foundation has a particular interest in exhibitions that travel outside the United States or to Chicago.
For exhibitions that travel outside the United States, the Foundation encourages:
- A focused thesis that makes a significant contribution to scholarship on historical American art
- International curatorial involvement
- Inclusion of international catalogue essayists
- A presentation that is meaningful to international audiences
Visual arts that are eligible for Terra Foundation Exhibition Grants include painting; sculpture; works on paper (prints, drawings, watercolors, photographs); decorative arts (typically handmade functional objects of high aesthetic quality); design (objects of high aesthetic quality; excludes industrial design); performance art; video art; and conceptual art. Excluded are architecture and commercial film/animation.
Deadline: August 2, 2021 (LOI)
Dollar Amount: Varies
Eligibility:
Eligible American institutions are those that are organizing:
- Exhibitions on any aspect of historical American art that travel internationally.
- At least one international venue must be secured before a letter of inquiry is submitted.
- Any grant award would be made to the American organizer, but it must offset costs incurred by both the organizer and any international venue[s]. These do not have to be shared costs, but frequently are.
- Exhibitions on any aspect of historical American art that are co-organized with an international venue.
Co-organizers must apply jointly. When possible, the Terra Foundation prefers to only fund shared costs for co-organizing venues.
Full RFP: https://www.terraamericanart.org/what-we-offer/grant-fellowship-opportunities/exhibition-grants/