Ford Foundation Grants $10M to Studio Museum in Harlem
- The Ford Foundation has granted $10 million to the Studio Museum in Harlem to endow the director and chief curator position.
- This endowment acknowledges the contributions of Thelma Golden, who has held the position for the past 20 years, and strengthens the museum's sustainability.
- The initiative aims to address the under-resourcing of Black and brown cultural institutions and is a significant investment in the future of the museum.
The Ford Foundation has announced a significant $10 million grant to the Studio Museum in Harlem, a key institution highlighting African American art and culture. This funding is aimed at endowing the position of director and chief curator, which has been held by Thelma Golden for the past 20 years. She has been instrumental in the museum's success and transformation over her tenure, and the endowment will now carry her name as the Ford Foundation Director and Chief Curator. Ford Foundation President Darren Walker emphasized the importance of establishing an endowed position at the museum, noting that it was the only major New York museum lacking such a designation. This crucial investment not only uplifts the museum’s operational structure but also serves as a recognition of the historical underfunding faced by cultural institutions that serve Black and brown communities. Walker and Golden's longstanding friendship highlights the foundation's commitment to excellence and supports a broader agenda to empower similar cultural institutions. The endowment is seen as a necessary step to secure the museum's future and ensure it does not become overly reliant on any individual leader. This substantial grant will enable the museum to attract top talent for its leadership position while fostering growth and sustainability, paving the way for future directors and curators to build on the legacy established by Golden.