The Terra Foundation focuses on advancing American art through major investments in art education and museum programming. Its recent grants are large and targeted, supporting both its own program fund and a prominent museum that amplifies underrepresented American artists. The foundation appears committed to strengthening institutional capacity for exhibitions, scholarship, and public education about American art.
Very concentrated giving: few, large grants to institutional recipients (including internal program funds and flagship museums) rather than many small awards; strategic, capacity-building support for arts institutions.
Terra Foundation for American Art’s recent giving is anchored by a $3.75 million grant to its own Terra Foundation for American Art Fund, paired with major support for museums and art organizations that interpret American art for the public. The foundation backs temporary loan exhibitions, collections reinterpretation, convenings, fellowships, and extended collection loans, with grant sizes that can range from modest convening support to seven-figure awards in art education. Across the recent grants list, its support reaches institutions such as The Studio Museum in Harlem, South Side Community Art Center, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, showing a pattern of investment in both broad museum programming and organizations centered on American artists. The portfolio also includes institutions in the United States and abroad, reflecting a grantmaking model that uses exhibitions, research, teaching, and collection access to deepen scholarship and public understanding of American art. Its strategic initiatives are invitation-only, while several other programs accept unsolicited requests.
A major thread in Terra Foundation for American Art’s work is museum-based interpretation of American art. In one recent grant, it gave $350,000 to Grey Art Museum NYU for art education, and in another it awarded $250,000 to The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum for art education. The foundation also supports institutions presenting American art in broader historical and cultural contexts: the National Gallery of Art received $250,000 for art education, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston received $250,000 for the same purpose. Scholarship and field-building are present too, with $184,010 to College Art Association for art education and $204,930 to Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery for art education. These grants point to a funder that supports exhibitions, research, interpretation, and public-facing education across multiple institutions.
Typical awards cluster around $25,000 at the 25th percentile, a $50,000 median, and $75,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants also include larger institutional awards, so the distribution extends well above the median in specific program areas. The foundation gives through a mix of open and invitation-only programs: Exhibition Grants, Convening Grants, Collections Grants, Fellowships, and the Terra Summer Residency accept unsolicited applications, while Strategic Initiatives and Terra Collection-in-Residence are invitation-only. The recent grant list shows repeated support to the same institutions across 2023 and 2024, including Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery and the Whitney Museum of American Art, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
$11.1M
$620.6M
$11.8M
$22.9M
Most grants fall between $25K and $75K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$75K
Top 10 recipient countries by grant volume for Terra Foundation for American Art.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 635 | $45.9M | 73.2% |
| 2 | United Kingdom |
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Notable grantees: TERRA FOUNDATION FOR AMERICAN ART FUND, THE STUDIO MUSEUM IN HARLEM, Major American art museums and museum education programs
Most grants go to U.S. recipients, which account for 73.3% of awards. Within the U.S., Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 29% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Recent recipient cities include Chicago, New York, Washington, Boston, Los Angeles, and Cincinnati. The international portfolio reaches the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Brazil, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, and Romania, with recent grants landing in London, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, and Oxford.
It supports American art scholarship and education, museum exhibitions and programming, and institutions that elevate Black and African American artists. Its active programs include Exhibition Grants, Convening Grants, Collections Grants, Fellowships, Terra Collection-in-Residence, and Strategic Initiatives.
Its grant-size distribution centers on $25,000 at the 25th percentile, a $50,000 median, and $75,000 at the 75th percentile. Some programs go higher, including Exhibition Grants and Collections Grants, which can reach into six figures.
Yes, for several programs. Exhibition Grants, Convening Grants, Collections Grants, Fellowships, the Terra Summer Residency, and the Yale University Press American Art in Translation Book Prize accept unsolicited applications. Strategic Initiatives and Terra Collection-in-Residence are invitation-only.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 29% of grants go to recipients in Illinois. U.S. recipients make up 73.3% of the grant list, with additional awards going to organizations in the UK, Germany, France, Brazil, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, and Romania.
Yes. The grant list includes repeated support to Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery in 2023 and 2024, and to the Whitney Museum of American Art in both years as well. That pattern suggests ongoing institutional relationships.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 68 |
| $7.1M |
7.8% |
| 3 | France | 37 | $3.4M | 4.3% |
| 4 | Germany | 37 | $3.3M | 4.3% |
| 5 | Canada | 23 | $1.7M | 2.6% |
| 6 | Brazil | 13 | $625K | 1.5% |
| 7 | Japan | 6 | $1.1M | 0.7% |
| 8 | Spain | 6 | $599K | 0.7% |
| 9 | South Africa | 5 | $775K | 0.6% |
| 10 | Nigeria | 5 | $650K | 0.6% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Current and upcoming funding from Terra Foundation for American Art that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Open to organizations working to re-interpret and re-present their permanent collections through re-installation or temporary exhibitions.
Deadline: Inquiry Due | August 3, 2026; Proposal Due | October 13, 2026
Who can apply: Organizations proposing conferences, workshops, and gatherings that stimulate interdisciplinary and intercultural exchange, and nurture relationships across networks.
Deadline: Inquiry Due | September 28, 2026; Proposal Due | November 30, 2026
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORGE PROJECT ASSOCIATION | ANCRAM, NY | $550,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| FLOATING MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $285,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND | COLLEGE PARK, MD | $280,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| PALAIS DE TOKYO | PARIS | $250,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| ZEITZ MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AFRICA | CAPE TOWN | $250,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| CENTRE POMPIDOU | PARIS | $250,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| YINKA SHONIBARE FOUNDATION (LONDON) | LONDON | $220,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| CHANCELLOR MASTERS & SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD | OXFORD | $201,882 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| MUSE DES BEAUX-ARTS DE MONTRAL | MONTREAL | $200,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| INSTITUTE FOR FREEDOMS INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $200,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| ABBOTSFORD CULTURAL CENTRE | ABBOTSFORD | $200,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $200,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE | HANOVER, NH | $200,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| CARNEGIE INSTITUTE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $200,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | TEMPE, AZ | $150,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| PHILLIPS COLLECTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $150,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| HECKSCHER MUSEUM | HUNTINGTON, NY | $150,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| STDTISCHES MUSEUM BRAUNSCHWEIG | BRAUNSCHWEIG | $150,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| ALBUQUERQUE MUSEUM FOUNDATION | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $150,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| HAMPTON UNIVERSITY MUSEUM | HAMPTON, VA | $150,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $150,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| URSINUS COLLEGE | COLLEGEVILLE, PA | $125,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT RIVERSIDE | RIVERSIDE, CA | $125,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| HAUS AM WALDSEE | BERLIN | $125,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| THE BROOKLYN RAIL | BROOKLYN, NY | $125,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF ART | COLUMBIA, SC | $125,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| ASSOCIAZIONE CULTURALE BHMF | FLORENCE | $125,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA THE FRALIN MUSEUM OF ART | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $125,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| BLACK ARTISTS ARCHIVE | DETROIT, MI | $125,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| REBUILD FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $125,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| VINCENT PRICE ART MUSEUM | MONTEREY PARK, CA | $125,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND | COLLEGE PARK, MD | $120,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER | PITTSBURGH, PA | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| US LATINX ART FORUM | MEDFORD, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| CENTER FOR CULTURAL INNOVATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| ATELIERS MEDICIS | CLICHYSOUSBOIS | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| KTE ART FOUNDATION LAGOS BIENNIAL | LAGOS, LO | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO | TORONTO | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| KALAKUTA TRUST | CAPE TOWN | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| JAPANESE AMERICAN CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| DIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| AMERICAN FEDERATION OF ARTS INC | NEW YORK CITY, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| COURTAULD INSTITUTE OF ART | LONDON | $99,667 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| PALAIS DE TOKYO | PARIS | $98,000 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| SAVVY CONTEMPORARY EV | BERLIN | $87,500 | 2026 | ARTS EDUCATION |
FORGE PROJECT ASSOCIATION
$550,000ARTS EDUCATION
FLOATING MUSEUM
$285,000ARTS EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
$280,000ARTS EDUCATION
PALAIS DE TOKYO
$250,000ARTS EDUCATION
ZEITZ MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AFRICA
$250,000ARTS EDUCATION
CENTRE POMPIDOU
$250,000ARTS EDUCATION
YINKA SHONIBARE FOUNDATION (LONDON)
ARTS EDUCATION
CHANCELLOR MASTERS & SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
$201,882ARTS EDUCATION
MUSE DES BEAUX-ARTS DE MONTRAL
$200,000ARTS EDUCATION
INSTITUTE FOR FREEDOMS INC
$200,000ARTS EDUCATION
ABBOTSFORD CULTURAL CENTRE
$200,000ARTS EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
$200,000ARTS EDUCATION
TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
$200,000ARTS EDUCATION
TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
$200,000ARTS EDUCATION
CARNEGIE INSTITUTE
$200,000ARTS EDUCATION
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
$150,000ARTS EDUCATION
PHILLIPS COLLECTION
$150,000ARTS EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA
$150,000ARTS EDUCATION
HECKSCHER MUSEUM
$150,000ARTS EDUCATION
STDTISCHES MUSEUM BRAUNSCHWEIG
$150,000ARTS EDUCATION
ALBUQUERQUE MUSEUM FOUNDATION
$150,000ARTS EDUCATION
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY MUSEUM
$150,000ARTS EDUCATION
FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM
$150,000ARTS EDUCATION
URSINUS COLLEGE
$125,000ARTS EDUCATION
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT RIVERSIDE
$125,000ARTS EDUCATION
HAUS AM WALDSEE
$125,000ARTS EDUCATION
THE BROOKLYN RAIL
$125,000ARTS EDUCATION
COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF ART
$125,000ARTS EDUCATION
ASSOCIAZIONE CULTURALE BHMF
$125,000ARTS EDUCATION
THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA THE FRALIN MUSEUM OF ART
$125,000ARTS EDUCATION
BLACK ARTISTS ARCHIVE
$125,000ARTS EDUCATION
REBUILD FOUNDATION
$125,000ARTS EDUCATION
VINCENT PRICE ART MUSEUM
$125,000ARTS EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
$120,000ARTS EDUCATION
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
US LATINX ART FORUM
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
CENTER FOR CULTURAL INNOVATION
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
ATELIERS MEDICIS
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
KTE ART FOUNDATION LAGOS BIENNIAL
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
KALAKUTA TRUST
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
JAPANESE AMERICAN CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY CENTER
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
DIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS INC
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF ARTS INC
$100,000ARTS EDUCATION
COURTAULD INSTITUTE OF ART
$99,667ARTS EDUCATION
PALAIS DE TOKYO
$98,000ARTS EDUCATION
SAVVY CONTEMPORARY EV
$87,500ARTS EDUCATION
