1. About Us
   1. History
   2. Foundation Reports
   3. Board & Staff
   4. Contact Us
2. Collection
   1. Search Collection Online
   2. Objects in Depth
   3. Conservation Notes
   4. Recent Acquisitions
   5. Terra Collection Initiatives
   6. Collection on View
   7. History
   8. Loans & Permissions
3. Grants
   1. Exhibition Program
      1. Guidelines
      2. Deadlines
   2. Exhibition Research Programs
      1. Guidelines
      2. Deadlines
   3. Academic Program
      1. Guidelines
      2. Deadlines
   4. Publication Program
      1. Guidelines
      2. Deadlines
   5. Chicago Public Programs
      1. Guidelines
      2. Deadlines
   6. Chicago K–12 Education Program
      1. Guidelines
      2. Deadlines
   7. How to Apply
   8. Grants Awarded
4. Scholarship
   1. Fellowships
   2. Symposia
      1. Past Symposia
   3. Publications
5. K-12 Education
   1. Teacher Lab
      1. About
      2. Tools
      3. Classroom Projects
      4. Participants
      5. Apply
   2. Resources
   3. K-12 Grant Program
6. Calendar
7. News
   1. Press Releases
      1. Current
      2. Archived
9. Europe
   1. European Programs
   2. TFAA Europe Library
   3. European Calendar
   4. Contact Us
10. Chicago
    1. Featured Programs
    2. Collection in Chicago
    3. Chicago Calendar

How to Apply

The grant application process is three-part:

1. Before submitting a formal proposal to the Terra Foundation, prospective applicants must write a letter of inquiry.

2. After reviewing the letter of inquiry, the foundation may invite the submission of a formal proposal.

3. Formal grant proposals undergo a review process before final decisions are made by the foundation's Board of Directors.

Letter of Inquiry

A letter of inquiry must precede any formal grant proposal to the Terra Foundation; formal proposals are accepted only by invitation of the foundation after review of the letter of inquiry. Prospective applicants can expect to hear from the foundation within three weeks of their letter's receipt. The letter should be no longer than 3 pages (including attachments) and include:

• Brief statement of the organization's purpose and goals
• Description of the project, including its beginning and ending dates as well as the need and audience it addresses
• Objectives of the project
• Other organizing partners and funding sources and amounts for the project, if relevant
• Total cost of project and the grant amount requested

All letters should be written in English, addressed to the grants manager, and sent by email to grants@terraamericanart.org. Additional printed copies of the letters may be sent to:

Terra Foundation for American Art
980 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1315
Chicago, Illinois 60611
United States

Formal Proposal

After a letter of inquiry is reviewed, prospective applicants may be invited to submit a formal proposal. Please note that an invitation for a formal proposal does not guarantee funding at any level. Formal proposals must be written or translated in English and should not be stapled or bound. All attachments should also be written or translated in English.

Below are downloadable PDFs of the application form for each of the program areas: Exhibitions, including Exhibition Research and Development, Academic Programs, Chicago Public Programs, and Chicago K–12 Education Programs. These forms can also be found on the guidelines page for each program area.

Exhibition Program Application Form

Convening Grant for Internationally Collaborative Exhibition Application Form

International Curatorial Travel Grant Application Form

Academic Program Application Form

Chicago Public Program Application Form

Chicago K–12 Education Program Application Form

Proposal Review Process

During the time that a proposal is under review, applicants must notify the foundation of any significant changes in staff or board leadership, financial circumstances, or the capacity of the institution to accomplish the proposed activities.

Following submission, proposals go through the review process outlined below:

Staff Contact
Foundation staff will contact the applicant to confirm that the required material has been submitted, clarify any questions regarding the proposal, request any additional information, and discuss any special needs or circumstances that may exist.

Staff and Peer Review
The foundation's program staff reviews all proposals, and may contact other institutions that have knowledge of the grant-seeking organization. Proposals may also be presented to colleagues for peer review and recommendation.

Executive Approval
Proposals are presented to the Board of Directors, which makes final decisions on grants. Currently, the Board of Directors reviews proposals for the Academic Programs, Public Programs, and Chicago K–12 Education Programs in Fall, Winter, and Spring. Exhibition proposals are reviewed twice annually, in Spring and Fall.

Notification
Foundation staff will notify the organization of a decision by telephone or by mail approximately 2–3 weeks after the Board of Directors meeting at which the proposal is considered. Please keep this in mind while writing your project timeline.

Please note: If a grant is awarded, the recipient will be expected to provide regular reports to the foundation on the project's progress and the expenditure of grant monies.

Deadlines

All required materials should be submitted to the Terra Foundation by the following deadlines:

Exhibition Program
Letter of Inquiry        Proposal                   Board Meeting
March 1, 2012          June 1, 2012             Fall 2012
August 1, 2012         October 15, 2012      Spring 2013
March 1, 2013          June 3, 2013             Fall 2013

Academic Program
Letter of Inquiry        Proposal                   Board Meeting
December 15, 2011   March 1, 2012           Summer 2012
March 15, 2012         June 15, 2012           Fall 2012
December 14, 2012   March 1, 2013           Summer 2013
March 14, 2013         June 14, 2013           Fall 2013

 

Public Program
Letter of Inquiry        Proposal                   Board Meeting
May 1, 2012            July 20, 2012             Fall 2012
October 22, 2012     December 17, 2012    Spring 2013
May 15, 2013          July 15, 2013             Fall 2013

Chicago K-12 Education Program
Letter of Inquiry        Proposal                    Board Meeting 
May 1, 2012            July 20, 2012              Fall 2012
October 22, 2012     December 17, 2012     Spring 2013
May 15, 2013          July 15, 2013              Fall 2013