OVERVIEW: The Terra Foundation for American Art awards grants to American art exhibitions, research, fellowships and art education initiatives. Chicago is a priority for this funder.
IP TAKE: Arts organizations in Chicago often have the best chance to receive funding from Terra by applying for an Art Design Chicago 2024 or a Chicago K-12 Education Program grant. Check the foundation’s website for opportunities and deadlines.
PROFILE: Established in 1978, the Terra Foundation for American Art is the foundation of Daniel J. Terra, who opened his first museum with 50 paintings in the Chicago suburbs. Terra was a businessman and art collector who wanted to show the world that the United States could compete with masterpieces from around the globe. Since that time, the Terra Foundation has expanded its collection to more than 700 pieces, relocated to downtown Chicago, and even opened the Musée d'Art Américain Giverny in France to showcase American impressionist works. The foundation aims to foster “exploration, understanding, and enjoyment of the visual arts of the United States for national and international audiences.” Grantmaking areas of interest include visual arts, art educatio and museums.
Since 2005, the Terra Foundation has been awarding grants to American art exhibitions around the world. It also funds academic programs that address American art, fellowships, visiting professorships and publications. It runs two grant programs that are exclusive to Chicago. Art Design Chicago 2024 grants support the research and development of exhibits of visual arts and/or design that are significant to the city of Chicago and its history, as well as academic programs at institutions of higher education and research toward the publication of works concerning Chicago’s legacy in American art. A second Chicago-based program funds K-12 and public programs that enable learning and exposure to American visual arts.
Many foundation grants range from $100,000 to $500,000. Past Chicago grantees include the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Richard H. Driehaus Museum and the Design Museum of Chicago. The foundation focuses much of its giving on the city of Chicago, but awards grants nationally and internationally as well. View a list of all awarded grants here.
The foundation accepts unsolicited grant requests for some programs and has an online application system. Grantseekers should direct initial letters of inquiry and general questions to the staff at grants@terraamericanart.org or 312-6644-3939.
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