Applications open for History of Art Grants Program (US)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Kress Foundation History of Art Grants Program supports scholarly projects that improve the understanding and appreciation of European art and architecture from antiquity through the early 19th century. The programme supports research, documentation, scholarly databases, museum exhibitions, publications, photographic campaigns, technical studies, digital art history, and professional development activities that advance art-historical knowledge. What Is the History of Art Grants Program? The History of Art Grants Program supports institutions undertaking scholarly and educational projects related to European art and architecture. The programme is designed to create and disseminate specialised knowledge through research, documentation, interpretation, digital methods, and professional collaboration. The programme has also incorporated the former Digital Art History grants and Interpretive Fellowships for Art Museums, expanding its scope to include: New approaches to researching and presenting European art. Why Does the History of Art Grants Program Matter? Scholarly research plays an important role in improving how European art and architecture are understood, documented, interpreted, and presented to the public.

Supported projects can contribute to:

New art-historical knowledge. Better documentation of artworks and architecture. The programme can support exhibitions that contribute meaningfully to the understanding and interpretation of European art and architecture. Applicants should explain the project’s scholarly contribution and how the exhibition will communicate knowledge to its intended audience. Publications Funding can support publications that disseminate specialised art-historical knowledge. Projects may involve scholarly publications connected to: Artworks. Artists. Collections. Architecture. Historical periods. Museum research. Technical or scientific findings. Photographic Campaigns Photographic documentation can create important scholarly resources for researchers and cultural institutions. Projects may use systematic photography to document: Artworks. Architectural sites. Collections. Details and materials. Previously under-documented works. Scholarly Catalogues Scholarly catalogues can provide detailed research and documentation about artworks or collections. They may bring together information about: Provenance. Attribution. Dating. Materials. Techniques. Historical context. Bibliographic research. Technical and Scientific Studies The programme supports technical and scientific approaches that contribute to art-historical understanding. Such studies can help researchers investigate: Materials. Artistic techniques. Production processes. Physical characteristics. Technical evidence. Relationships between scientific findings and art history. Does the Programme Support Digital Art History? Yes. The programme has incorporated Digital Art History grants, allowing the programme to support projects using digital approaches to art-historical research.

Digital projects may help researchers:

Create structured research databases. Analyse large collections of information. Improve digital documentation. Develop scholarly digital resources. Create new methods of presenting art-historical information. Applicants should explain how the digital methodology contributes meaningfully to the project’s scholarly objectives. What Are Interpretive Fellowships for Art Museums? The programme has also incorporated Interpretive Fellowships for Art Museums. These activities focus on professional development and collaboration within art museums. The programme supports mentored opportunities that can encourage collaboration between: Museum educators. Curators. Other museum professionals. The goal is to strengthen the interpretation and educational presentation of art through collaboration and professional learning. Does the Programme Support Professional Exchanges? Yes. The programme supports activities that allow art historians and other specialists to exchange expertise. Eligible professional activities can include: International exchanges. Conferences. Symposia. Consultations. Professional events. Scholarly presentations. These activities can strengthen international research networks and facilitate the sharing of specialist knowledge. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The programme primarily awards grants to eligible non-profit institutions, rather than individuals.

Eligible organisations include:

U.S. non-profit institutions with 501(c)(3) status. Supporting foundations of European institutions. Foreign institutions recognised as tax-exempt by the U.S.Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Projects can be led by individuals or teams affiliated with the applying institution, but the grant is awarded to the eligible organisation. Can Individuals Apply Directly? No. Individual researchers, art historians, curators, educators, and other professionals cannot receive grants directly. However, an individual or team can lead or conduct a project while being affiliated with an eligible applicant organisation. The institution acts as the grant recipient. Can International Organisations Apply? International institutions can potentially apply, but specific requirements apply. International applicants must work with a U.S. non-profit fiscal sponsor that meets the programme’s requirements. This fiscal sponsorship arrangement allows eligible international projects to meet the programme’s institutional funding requirements. International organisations should therefore establish an appropriate U.S. fiscal sponsorship relationship before applying. How to Develop a Strong Application Applicants should clearly demonstrate how the proposed project will advance knowledge and appreciation of European art or architecture.

Step 1: Confirm Institutional Eligibility

First determine whether the applicant organisation qualifies.

Check whether the institution:

Has U.S. 501(c)(3) status, or Is an eligible supporting