Convening Grants

The Terra Foundation for American Art offers Convening Grants that range from $10,000 to $25,000 for projects that challenge and expand the narratives of American art. The foundation seeks proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. that prioritize inclusivity and equitable practices in their research and creative endeavors, addressing historical imbalances in art presentations. Grants may cover administrative and publication costs, but the foundation prefers not to be the sole funding source.

Note: Letters of inquiry for exhibition-related convenings that take place before the exhibition opens should be submitted through the Exhibitions program as a request for planning support. Grant support through this program is awarded twice yearly. The next LOI is for For programs taking place after March 1, 2025.
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.
Priorities
The foundation supports visual arts projects that question and broaden understandings of American art and transform how stories of American art are told. We encourage projects that:
generate knowledge and interpretive frameworks that reflect the range and complexity of American art and its histories through the diversity of artists represented, voices included, and stories toldcenter artists, scholars, and communities who have been systemically excluded from narratives, practices, and presentations of American artcommit to inclusive and equitable practices across project development and implementation in order to lead to structural change
What We Fund
Convening grants are typically between $10,000 and $25,000, unless an award outside this range is warranted by unusual circumstances. Up to $5,000 of an awarded grant may be used for resulting proceedings or publications, whether online or printed; funds for this purpose need to be spent within one year of the event. Up to 20% of a Terra Foundation grant may offset direct administration costs; and up to 15% of a grant may be applied to indirect costs.The Terra Foundation prefers not to be the sole outside contributor to an event.For convenings and education programs connected to permanent collection reinstallations or temporary exhibitions, please apply through the Collections Grants and Exhibitions Grants, respectively. Please contact us if the timing of your convening does not meet the requirements of these programs.

Eligibility

For this program, the Terra Foundation accepts proposals only from institutions with United States 501(c)(3) status or the international equivalent. These programs are intended for scholarly and public audiences. Programs designed primarily for the general public, travel grants, fellowship programs, research databases, and capital expenditures are not eligible for funding through this program.While the Terra Foundation welcomes recurring requests over time, organizations that submit applications in subsequent rounds should note that the foundation aims to fund a broad array of organizations.

Ineligibility

Convening grants are not made to individuals.