Frequently Asked Questions
Funding, projects, collection loans, and more!
Art Bridges Funding
- What type of support does Art Bridges provide?
Art Bridges is an operating foundation, which means we work together with partners on projects. Our partners receive more than just funding. In addition to financial support, we offer curatorial expertise, assistance in generating exhibition ideas, training and professional development for staff, and introductions to other institutions that might collaborate. - Are there costs Art Bridges will not support?
Yes. Art Bridges does not support costs associated with staff time, overhead, or print publications. Art Bridges focuses on the direct costs associated with touring an exhibition and engaging audiences with that exhibition. We will work with you as a partner to build a budget and identify the expenses Art Bridges can support. - What are the costs involved with borrowing an Art Bridges object?
Art Bridges supports the sharing of our and will pay for the direct costs involved with getting the work into your museum and on display. That includes things like transportation, packing and crating, insurance, in-gallery didactics, fabrication, installation, interpretation, and furniture.
Art Bridges Projects
- What projects receive Art Bridges support?
All partnerships are tied to a specific project. Projects facilitate the sharing of high-quality collections of American art with people across the country – either through a collection loan or traveling exhibition. Projects range in size from one object to many and are often designed to travel to multiple locations.
Most projects start with an object from the Art Bridges Collection or with one of the collection-based exhibitions we are helping to travel to venues across the country.
Once an organization has been approved for a collection loan or traveling exhibition, they may be eligible to apply for programming and evaluation or convening project support. - How do I apply for project support?
All projects and partnerships begin with a conversation. Once we’ve agreed on a project, the Art Bridges team will provide a wide range of support.
The process is very interactive – we assist with writing your project proposal, building your budget, and refining your idea. This shouldn’t be an intimidating process, and we’re with you every step of the way!
We love innovative and experimental projects that align with our mission. We are happy to discuss your idea, so please reach out.
For more information on developing an Art Bridges project, please visit our guides for step-by-step instructions. - How long is a typical project?
Every project is different. The length is based on the needs of the project – so we will determine that together. For a traveling exhibition, most venue time slots are between 10 and 16 weeks in order to honor the larger tour schedule. If you’re borrowing from the Art Bridges Collection, loans typically last between 6 and 12 months. - Can a museum work on more than one project at a time?
Yes. We are excited to work with you on multiple projects. If you have the capacity to collaborate on multiple projects with us, we’re happy to support you. - My project idea focuses on programming alone. Is it eligible for support?
No. All Art Bridges projects begin with either a collection loan or traveling exhibition, because our mission is to share artworks broadly. We do support programming associated with approved traveling exhibitions and collection loans. - Does Art Bridges support all traveling exhibitions?
No. We support traveling exhibitions created from a single museum’s collection. That’s our focus: collection sharing. We are not currently supporting exhibitions created with loans from galleries, private collections, or multiple museums. - What projects has Art Bridges already done?
Check out some of our projects in the partner stories section!
Art Bridges Collection Loans
- Can I borrow an Art Bridges object?
Yes. The is available for sharing through loans. Find more information on borrowing an object from the Art Bridges collection in our . - Can I borrow more than one object at a time?
Yes. Partners often borrow 2-3 objects at a time. Works can be activated in permanent galleries. Or, you could consider creating a temporary exhibition focused on Art Bridges loans. - What are the costs involved with borrowing an object?
Art Bridges supports the sharing of our collection and generally pays for the direct costs involved with getting the work into your museum and on display. That includes things like two-way shipping, packing and crating, insurance, in-gallery didactics, installation, and interpretation. - Can objects be loaned to traveling exhibitions?
Yes. If you are creating a traveling exhibition of loans from multiple lenders, and need an object from Art Bridges, please contact us. It is important to note that loan shows are typically not eligible for the same level of support.
