Art Bridges Cohort Program Grant

The Art Bridges Cohort Program aims to enhance access to American art by fostering multi-year partnerships among museums across the U.S. This initiative creates sustainable art-sharing ecosystems that promote collaboration and community engagement. The program supports museums through funding for various phases, including research, small art shares, and large art shares, ensuring resources for travel, exhibition design, and educational opportunities. Eligibility includes a strong commitment to community engagement and existing art collections.

The Art Bridges Cohort Program expands access to American art by supporting multiyear, multi-institutional art-sharing partnerships among museums nationwide.
Program Goals
Build and nurture art-sharing partnerships among a given cohort that extends beyond the program
Eliminate bottlenecks in registration and conservation
Broaden loan agreements’ climate parameters that restrict art access, especially to underserved areas
Strengthen knowledge around practices of sustainable and cost-effective art sharing and exhibition building
Create long-term, reciprocal, community-led engagement opportunities
Funding
Art Bridges supports these partnerships through a mix of direct payments and flat-funding awards to offset hard and soft costs. Lead museums and cohort members are eligible to apply for Learning & Engagement funding in Phases 2 and 3 to deepen community engagement efforts.
Phase 1 - Research and Development
Art Bridges will cover the travel and hosting costs of a 2-day, in-person convening for all museums within a cohort.
Phase 2 - Small Art Share
Art Bridges pays directly for:
Ki Futures Accessible Loans Program for each cohortKi Futures Collections Care Apprenticeship ProgramDirect costs, such as crating, shipping, installation, deinstallation, and insurance for 3-5 worksAwards to lead museum and cohort members:Project Manager’s salaryCollections Care Apprentice’s salaryCollections Care Apprentice’s housing and travel during training$500 per object loaned2 convenings
Phase 3 - Large Art Share
Art Bridges pays directly for:
Direct object costs, such as crating, shipping, installation and deinstallationContract art handlersInstallation materialsAdditional securityInsuranceMarketing toolkitExhibition designAwards to lead museum and cohort members:Project Manager’s salaryCollections Care Apprentice’s salary$500 per object loanedAnnual conveningsIn-gallery accessibility itemsCommunity resource group honorariaSustainable exhibition materials incentiveInterpretation

Eligibility

What are the qualifying criteria for the Cohort Program?
Lead Museums:
US museumArt museum with a substantial American art collection that it’s willing and able to shareCompleted at least 1 art-sharing project with Art BridgesStrong history of community engagementHas gallery space available during the next 6 years to host cohort projectsCohort Members:US museumArt museum with strong history of American art exhibitionsStrong history of community engagement and onsite programmingHas a Director of Education or similar position on staffHas gallery space available during the next 6 years to host

Ineligibility

Will art commissions be funded?
No, the Cohort Program travels artworks that already exist and thus does not support the creation of new works.Is the Ki Futures Accessible Loans Program optional?
No, every cohort lead and member in the program must participate in this program.