TERRA Convening Grants
We encourage convenings that seek to generate knowledge and nurture relationships across local and global networks, in service of broader efforts to engage in intercultural dialogues and transform practices in the field of American art. We welcome requests to support convenings at any stage of a project—whether in early planning or more developed phases. In-person, virtual, and hybrid formats are eligible for funding.
- Convening grants typically range between $10,000 and $25,000.
- Grant support through this program is awarded twice yearly.
Convenings are powerful tools for fostering intercultural exchange and transformative dialogue. Such gatherings bring together multiple perspectives to produce expanded understandings of American art and how it is practiced, while developing shared commitment and mutual accountability to practice change.
Convening grant support is available for programs that:
- advance innovative research and professional practice in American art
- address critical issues that may deepen and expand the stories and voices within the field
Projects focused on influencing changes in practice should demonstrate a strong engagement with the field of American art.
For convenings connected to permanent collection reinstallations or temporary exhibitions, please see our Collections Grant program and Exhibition Grant program.
What We Fund
Up to $5,000 of an awarded grant may be used for resulting proceedings or publications, whether online or in print; funds for this purpose need to be spent within one year of the event.
Up to 20% of a Terra Foundation grant may offset direct administrative costs, and up to 15% of a grant may be applied to indirect costs.
The Terra Foundation prefers not to be the sole outside contributor to an event.
Introduction
Convenings are powerful tools for fostering intercultural exchange and transformative dialogue. Such gatherings bring together multiple perspectives to produce expanded understandings of American art and how it is practiced, while developing shared commitment and mutual accountability to practice change.
Convening grant support is available for programs that:
- advance innovative research and professional practice in American art
- address critical issues that may deepen and expand the stories and voices within the field
Projects focused on influencing changes in practice should demonstrate a strong engagement with the field of American art.
For convenings connected to permanent collection reinstallations or temporary exhibitions, please see our Collections Grant program and Exhibition Grant program.
What We Fund
Up to $5,000 of an awarded grant may be used for resulting proceedings or publications, whether online or in print; funds for this purpose need to be spent within one year of the event.
Up to 20% of a Terra Foundation grant may offset direct administrative costs, and up to 15% of a grant may be applied to indirect costs.
The Terra Foundation prefers not to be the sole outside contributor to an event.
Foundation Priorities
The Terra Foundation supports projects that engage the visual arts of the United States and Indigenous art of North America, while questioning and broadening understandings of American art and transforming how its stories are told.
We encourage projects that:
- collectively reflect the full breadth and complexity of American art and its histories through the artists represented, voices included, and stories told
- engage artists, scholars, and communities who present a plurality of perspectives and methods, including intercultural and interdisciplinary approaches
- catalyze inclusive and expansive practices in the field of American art
Eligibility
All applicants must hold United States 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or the international equivalent. Grants are not made to individuals.
This program is open to organizations within and outside of the United States. Convenings held in person, virtually, or in hybrid formats are eligible for support.
While the foundation welcomes requests from previous grantees, please note that we aim to fund a range of organizations over time.
These programs are intended for scholarly, professional, and public audiences. Programs designed primarily for the general public, travel grants, fellowship programs, research databases, alumni gatherings, and capital expenditures are not eligible for funding through this program.
How to Apply
Grant Inquiry Form
Use the Apply Now buttons to submit a grant inquiry form by the deadline listed on this page. After reviewing the inquiry, the foundation may invite you to submit a grant proposal.
Grant Proposal
If invited, prospective applicants submit a grant proposal. Formal proposals and all attachments must be written in English. Grant proposals are reviewed by an external panel made up of curators and other arts professionals who reflect a diverse range of backgrounds, perspectives, and approaches.
Contact Us
If you have questions about Convening Grants, please email Bianca Manu, Program Officer, Convening Grants and Initiatives, at manu@terraamericanart.eu.
