About

The Terra Foundation Collections Grants support organizations worldwide in reinterpreting and re-presenting their permanent collections to broaden and diversify understandings of American art.

The program prioritizes the presentation of a multiplicity of artists and themes, inclusion of a plurality of voices, rethinking collections to retell local or regional histories, engagement with local communities in collaborative programming and content creation, and broadening and deepening access through inclusive storytelling and design.

The Terra Foundation Collections Grants provide funding support ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for projects that focus on permanent collection reinstallations or temporary exhibitions primarily drawn from an institution’s own holdings. Planning grants typically range between $25,000 and $75,000, while implementation grants can go up to $100,000, with funding awarded annually and the next round scheduled for spring 2026.

These grants are designed to help museums, art centers, and community-based cultural organizations enhance the relevance and visibility of their collections. By supporting such initiatives, the foundation aims to foster long-term institutional change and encourage more inclusive and expansive practices in the field of American art.

Funding can be used for a wide range of project-related costs, including planning and research activities such as hiring short-term staff, organizing convenings, travel, and advisory committees. It also supports interpretation, signage and labels, artist fees excluding commissions, and logistical expenses such as shipping, insurance, and loan fees. Additional eligible costs include temporary gallery construction, conservation and framing, rental equipment, public programs, marketing, evaluation, and dissemination of research in digital or print formats. The foundation also allows partial support for staff positions and indirect costs within specified limits and encourages multilingual materials where relevant.

The foundation places strong emphasis on projects that engage with the visual arts of the United States and Indigenous arts of North America while challenging traditional narratives and expanding the understanding of American art. It encourages collaboration with artists, scholars, and communities to bring forward diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be organizations holding U.S. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or an international equivalent, and only project organizers can apply. Joint applications are required for co-organized projects, and grants are not available to individuals. Organizations that have previously received planning grants may apply for implementation funding for the same project.

However, the program does not support projects involving the creation or acquisition of artworks, capital expenditures, fully online initiatives, touring exhibitions, or projects primarily composed of loans. Previously declined proposals are also not eligible for reconsideration.

The application process begins with the submission of a grant inquiry form, after which selected applicants may be invited to submit a full proposal in English, reviewed by an external panel of arts professionals.

Post Date: April 01, 2026