The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation is a concentrated arts funder that prioritizes contemporary visual arts institutions, art education/outreach, and capital projects for museums and cultural spaces. They favor established museums, art schools and university art programs—frequently funding exhibitions, acquisitions, outreach workshops, and building campaigns—often in major U.S. cultural centers like New York and Chicago.
A 2025 grant of $200,000 to Maryland Institute College of Art for an outreach program in art shows the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation C/o Janet C Neschis Esq’s emphasis on arts education alongside museum support. The foundation gives at a regional scale, with annual grants of $4,282,000 and total assets of $31,665,516 on file. Its recent awards point to a consistent pattern: funding for exhibitions, acquisitions, public art, capital projects, and workshops, especially for established arts institutions and university programs. That mix appears in grants such as $355,000 to Cooper Union for a workshop program in art and $330,000 to The Studio Museum in Harlem for a museum building capital campaign. The foundation also backed New Museum of Contemporary Art with a $150,000 capital contribution for construction of a new building, while continuing to support university and museum-based arts programming. Recent recipients include museums, art schools, and cultural organizations in New York, Chicago, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and beyond, often with restricted purposes tied to a specific project or institutional need.
The foundation’s arts-education support is evident in grants to colleges and art schools. It gave $170,000 to Cooper Union for an outreach program in art, and $50,000 to Columbia University School of the Arts for education MFA scholarships. Related support also went to Rhode Island School of Design for MFA in art and scholarships. Museum exhibitions and acquisitions are another clear lane. The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago received $150,000 for acquisition of art and exhibition of art, while El Museo Del Barrio got $37,000 for acquisition of art. The foundation also funded The Nelson-Atkins Museum for exhibitions of art and The NY Botanical Garden for an exhibition of art. Public art appears as a separate theme, with grants to Madison Square Park Conservancy, Public Art Fund, Beam Center, and PS1 Contemporary Arts Center for art installation.
Typical grants are concentrated in a mid-sized range: p25 is $15,000, the median is $25,000, and p75 is $50,000. The recent list also includes larger project grants, including six-figure awards for outreach, exhibitions, acquisitions, and capital work. The pattern is repeated support rather than one-off gifts: Cooper Union, Maryland Institute College of Art, New Museum of Contemporary Art, and Amigos Del Museo Del Barrio each appear more than once across recent years. The foundation funds through direct grants, and it also funds individuals, while making no program-related investments. The grants shown are all from 2023 to 2025.
$1.4M
$31.7M
$2.2M
$2.3M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Relatively few, large grants concentrated in the visual arts sector; repeat funding to select institutions and multiple one-off capital or programmatic gifts rather than a broad scatter of small grants.
Notable grantees: The Art Institute of Chicago, Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, The Studio Museum in Harlem, Maryland Institute College of Art, New Museum of Contemporary Art
Grantmaking is heavily centered in New York: 76% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and New York is also the top state by grant count. New York City-area recipients include Cooper Union, The Studio Museum in Harlem, New Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison Square Park Conservancy, and Swiss Institute. Outside New York, grants reach Chicago, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Jackson, Providence, and Long Island City. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided.
It supports contemporary visual arts institutions, art education and outreach programs, capital projects, public art, and art acquisition. Recent grants include support for museums, art schools, university arts programs, and cultural organizations with exhibition or construction projects.
The grant-size distribution is p25 $15,000, median $25,000, and p75 $50,000. The recent record also includes larger six-figure grants for outreach, exhibitions, capital campaigns, and construction-related work.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Cooper Union, Maryland Institute College of Art, New Museum of Contemporary Art, and Amigos Del Museo Del Barrio. That suggests recurring relationships rather than only one-time gifts.
New York is the top state by grant count, and 76% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The recent recipient list is heavily weighted toward New York City organizations, alongside grants in other U.S. cities such as Chicago, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, in addition to museums, universities, and other arts organizations. The provided data also shows no program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART | BALTIMORE, MD | $200,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR OUTREACH PROGRAM IN ART |
| COOPER UNION | NEW YORK, NY | $170,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR OUTREACH PROGRAM IN ART |
| NEW MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION FOR CONTRUCTION OF NEW BUILDING |
| MADISON SQUARE PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART |
| AMIGOS DEL MUSEO DEL BARRIO | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART |
| THE NELSON- ATKINS MUSEUM | KANSAS CITY, MO | $75,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ART |
| TEMPLE UNIVERSITY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $75,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR OUTREACH PROGRAM IN ART |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EDUCATION MFA SCHOLARSHIPS |
| PS 1 CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER | LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR ART INSTALLATION |
| RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN | PROVIDENCE, RI | $50,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR MFA IN ART |
| SWISS INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART |
| PUBLIC ART FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART |
| BEAM CENTER | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART |
| THE RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART |
| MASS MOCA FOUNDATION INC | NORTH ADAMS, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART |
| TIMES SQUARE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART |
| BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ART |
| LOWER MANHATTAN CULTURAL COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR STUDIO SPACE FOR ARTISTS |
| IPTI RESEARCH ORG FOR TECH & INNOV | SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL | $23,500 | 2025 | GRANT FOR ART EDUCATION PROJECT |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ART |
| NYC SALT INC | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR PHOTOGRAPHY PROGRAM |
| PIONEER WORKS ART FOUNDATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ART |
| COOPER UNION | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR ART PRIZE |
| INTERNATIONAL STUDIO AND CURATORIAL PROGRAM | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR ART RESIDENCIES |
| THE JEWISH MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART |
| CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART |
| FIVE MYLES GALLERY | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ART |
| PENUMBRA FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND EXHIBITIONS |
| ELM FOUNDATION INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART |
| TEMPLE U INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $150,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR OUTREACH PROGRAM |
| MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF ART | JACKSON, MS | $100,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR ACQUISITION OF ART |
| AMIGOS DEL MUSEO DEL BARRIO | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART |
| NEW MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ART |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR MFA PROGRAM IN ART |
| DIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ART |
| BEAM CENTER | BROOKLYN, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART |
| RHODE ISLANCD SCHOOL OF DESIGN | PROVIDENCE, RI | $50,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BROOKLYN MUSEUM OF ARTS & SCIENCE | BROOKLYN, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART |
| THE NY BOTANICAL GARDEN | BRONX, NY | $35,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART |
| PUBLIC ART FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART |
| PENUMBRA FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN PHOTOGRAPHY |
| CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER | BEDMINSTER, NJ | $25,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ART |
| HIP HOP THEATER FESTIVAL | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART |
| THE JEWISH MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART |
| NYC SALT INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR OUTREACH WORKSHOP PROGRAM IN PHOTOGRAPHY |
| AMERICAS SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART |
| SOUL OF NATIONS | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR ARTISTS RESIDENCY PROGRAM |
| NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $23,500 | 2024 | GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART |
| INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR ART RESEARCH | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR SUPPORT OF ARTISTS RIGHTS |
| COOPER UNION FOR THE ADV OF ART & SCIENCE | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | GRANT FOR STUDENT PRIZE |
MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART
$200,000GRANT FOR OUTREACH PROGRAM IN ART
COOPER UNION
$170,000GRANT FOR OUTREACH PROGRAM IN ART
NEW MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
$150,000GRANT FOR CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION FOR CONTRUCTION OF NEW BUILDING
MADISON SQUARE PARK CONSERVANCY
$100,000GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART
THE NELSON- ATKINS MUSEUM
$75,000GRANT FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ART
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
$50,000GRANT FOR EDUCATION MFA SCHOLARSHIPS
BEAM CENTER
$25,000GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART
MASS MOCA FOUNDATION INC
$25,000GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART
TIMES SQUARE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION INC
$25,000GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART
BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART
$25,000GRANT FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ART
IPTI RESEARCH ORG FOR TECH & INNOV
$23,500GRANT FOR ART EDUCATION PROJECT
COOPER UNION
$15,000GRANT FOR ART PRIZE
INTERNATIONAL STUDIO AND CURATORIAL PROGRAM
$10,000GRANT FOR ART RESIDENCIES
FIVE MYLES GALLERY
$10,000GRANT FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ART
PENUMBRA FOUNDATION
$10,000GRANT FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND EXHIBITIONS
ELM FOUNDATION INC
$10,000GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART
TEMPLE U INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
$150,000GRANT FOR OUTREACH PROGRAM
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
$50,000GRANT FOR MFA PROGRAM IN ART
BEAM CENTER
$50,000GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART
RHODE ISLANCD SCHOOL OF DESIGN
$50,000GRANT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
BROOKLYN MUSEUM OF ARTS & SCIENCE
$50,000GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART
PENUMBRA FOUNDATION
$25,000GRANT FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN PHOTOGRAPHY
CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER
$25,000GRANT FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ART
HIP HOP THEATER FESTIVAL
$25,000GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART
AMERICAS SOCIETY
$25,000GRANT FOR EXHIBITION OF ART
SOUL OF NATIONS
$25,000GRANT FOR ARTISTS RESIDENCY PROGRAM
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY INC
$23,500GRANT FOR PUBLIC ART
COOPER UNION FOR THE ADV OF ART & SCIENCE
$15,000GRANT FOR STUDENT PRIZE