Decorative Arts Trust Prize for Excellence and Innovation Grant

The Decorative Arts Trust Prize for Excellence and Innovation offers a $100,000 grant to support exceptional projects that enhance public appreciation of decorative arts, fine arts, architecture, and landscape. This prestigious award is aimed at non-profit organizations in the U.S. and abroad, encouraging innovative scholarship and collaboration among institutions. By recognizing impactful endeavors, the Trust reinforces its commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of the decorative arts and supporting both emerging and established scholars.

The mission of the Decorative Arts Trust, a non-profit organization, is to promote and foster the appreciation and study of the decorative arts.
Exchanging information through domestic and international programming;Collaborating and partnering with museums and preservation organizations; andUnderwriting internships, research grants, and scholarships for graduate students and young professionals.
The Prize is awarded to a non-profit organization in the United States or abroad for a scholarly endeavor, such as museum exhibitions, print and digital publications, and online databases. The Trust’s selection committee aims to recognize impactful and original projects that advance scholarship in the field while reaching a broad audience.
“This award advances the work of our talented mid- and late-career colleagues as a complement to our efforts to support young scholars through the Emerging Scholars Program,” states Matthew A. Thurlow, the Decorative Arts Trust’s Executive Director. “We have made a long-term commitment to furthering innovative scholarship in the arts while reinforcing the Trust’s mission and promoting our broader programs.

Eligibility

Projects can extend 1–5 years for final completion after the Prize is awarded, but no longer.Ongoing projects are suitable for nomination.