Cohort Program
The Art Bridges Cohort Program funds multi-year museum partnerships to share American art, develop exhibitions, and engage communities through collaborative, sustainable art sharing networks.
Funder: Art Bridges Foundation
Due Dates: June 1, 2026 (Wave 2 R&D applications close) | October 1, 2026 (R&D final report due) | November 1, 2026 (Phase 2 Part 1 application due)
Funding Amounts: Multi-year support; covers travel, staffing, direct costs for art sharing, and additional awards for engagement; no matching funds required.
Summary: Supports 4–6 year multi-museum partnerships to share American art, foster collaboration, and broaden community access with financial and strategic backing.
Key Information: Program is highly collaborative; museums must apply as part of a cohort with a lead institution and members.
Description
The Art Bridges Cohort Program is designed to expand access to American art by supporting multi-institutional, multi-year partnerships among museums across the United States and its territories. Each cohort—consisting of a lead museum and several cohort members—collaborates over 4–6 years to share collections, develop and travel exhibitions, and engage local communities. The program aims to make art lending and display more efficient and environmentally sustainable, ultimately creating self-sustaining networks of art sharing and collaboration. Art Bridges provides comprehensive funding, logistical, and strategic support to participating museums, enabling them to increase the reach and impact of American art.
