Helen Frankenthaler Foundation donation will help Research fellows share new discoveries about artworks on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Photo:  Charla Jasper

The Smithsonian American Art Museum receives a $2 Million gift from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation to bolster its esteemed modern and contemporary art fellowship.

ARTCENTRON EDITORIAL

WASHINGTON D.C- The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) announced Monday a momentous $2 million gift from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation. This generous contribution marks the culmination of a major campaign dedicated to bolstering the museum’s esteemed fellowship program, which has been at the forefront of American art scholarship since its establishment in 1970. The endowment will focus on supporting the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Fellowship in modern and contemporary art as well as the professional development of fellows at SAAM. Notably, this donation is the largest ever received for the museum’s fellowship program.

The SAAM Fellowship Program and Its Legacy

The SAAM Fellowship Program is an integral part of the museum’s Research and Scholars Center. Its primary objective is to promote groundbreaking research by providing financial support, publication guidance, access to unparalleled research resources, and a network of colleagues from the Smithsonian and various fields of expertise. Over the past 50 years, the fellowship program has played a crucial role in nurturing emerging and established scholars, resulting in significant contributions to the study of art, craft, and visual culture in America.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its fellowship program in 2020, the Smithsonian American Art Museum launched a fundraising and awareness campaign. The primary goal was to strengthen the program’s future and enhance its impact on American art scholarship. As part of this campaign, the museum received additional contributions, including gifts from the Wyeth Foundation for American Art and the artist Audrey Flack. These donations contributed to the $10 million target set for the SAAM Fellowship Program 50th Anniversary Campaign.

The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Fellowship

Thanks to the support of benefactors like the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, the fellowship program’s excellence is further fortified, ensuring its continued role in catalyzing innovative research and offering fresh perspectives for generations to come. The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Fellowship, established through this generous gift, will concentrate on modern and contemporary art, furthering the understanding and appreciation of this dynamic artistic genre.

Application Process and Key Dates

The first Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Fellowship will be awarded for the academic year 2024-2025. Interested scholars can apply by accessing relevant information on the museum’s website or via email. The application process will begin in September, with the deadline for submission set for November 1.

The Museum’s Research and Scholars Center is a vital entity dedicated to advancing the study of American art, craft, and visual culture, reflecting the diversity and complexity of the American experience. This center offers a wide array of programs, including fellowships for emerging and established scholars, fully paid internships for college seniors and graduate students, academic convenings, and the publication of the peer-reviewed journal, American Art, which showcases new scholarship in the field.

The Impact of the SAAM Fellowship Program

Over its impressive history, the SAAM Fellowship Program has hosted more than 760 fellows and visiting scholars. These individuals have gone on to hold esteemed positions in prominent academic and cultural institutions worldwide. The program’s influence spans continents, as former fellows have taken up roles in North America, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and South America.

In addition to the newly established fellowships, the SAAM offers an array of other named opportunities that cater to specific areas of research within American art and culture. These include the Will Barnet Foundation Fellowship, the Joe and Wanda Corn Fellowship, the Douglass Foundation Fellowship, the Patricia and Phillip Frost Fellowship, the George Gurney Fellowship, the Smithsonian American Art Museum fellowship in Asian American art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum fellowship in Latinx art, the alumni-supported Joshua C. Taylor Fellowship, the Terra Foundation for American Art Fellowships, the William H. Truettner Fellowship, the fellowship in American craft supported by the Windgate Foundation, and the Wyeth Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship.

About the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation

Established by the artist herself during her lifetime, the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation strives to carry on her legacy and inspire the next generation of artists through various philanthropic initiatives. Since its inception in 2013, the foundation has spearheaded transformative projects that foster systemic change in the art world, ranging from advancing new scholarship and research to promoting climate sustainability within institutions.

Advancement of American Art Scholarship

The $2 million gift from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation to the Smithsonian American Art Museum marks a significant milestone for the museum’s esteemed fellowship program. This generous endowment will ensure the continued advancement of American art scholarship, supporting the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Fellowship in modern and contemporary art. As SAAM celebrates its 50th anniversary of fostering groundbreaking research, this monumental contribution cements its position as a preeminent institution in the field of American art.