Grants That Make a Difference
Every month, "Grants that Make a Difference" highlights grants given to Washington, DC area organizations that have helped make a difference in people's lives. "Grants That Make a Difference" profiles these important community success stories.
March 1, 2008
Grant amount: $100,000
Who got the grant:
Corcoran Gallery and College of Art and Design
500 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202/639-1700
E-mail: PR@corcoran.org
Web site: http://www.corcoran.org
Who gave the grant:
Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
1825 K Street, N.W., 14th Floor
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202/223-3100
Fax: 202/296-7567
E-mail: info@cafritzfoundation.org
Web site: http://www.cafritzfoundation.org
Purpose of the grant:
$50,000 for general support and $50,000 for the restoration of the Corcoran's building exterior.
Impact:
In the words of its founder, William Wilson Corcoran, the Corcoran is "dedicated to art." Its museum presents, interprets and preserves the art of our times and of times past; its college of art nurtures and helps shape new generations of artists and designers. Education is a central focus, not just in the Corcoran's classrooms but in its galleries and throughout the greater Washington region. Though American art is the collection's emphasis, the art of other nations and cultures is, when appropriate, acquired and exhibited.
The Corcoran Gallery of Art stands as a major center of American art, both historic and contemporary. Founded "for the purpose of encouraging American Genius," the Corcoran's extensive collection of 18th, 19th, and 20th century American art represents most significant American artists. The Corcoran possesses a fine collection of European art as well. While continuing its efforts to represent historic American works, the gallery also encourages modern European and American artists by showing and purchasing their work, paying particular attention to artists in the Washington area.
From its first days the gallery was a major attraction for art students, who came in growing numbers for the purpose of studying and copying the works of art on display. In 1878 Mr. Corcoran gave funds "for the specific purpose of aiding in the establishing of a school of design in connection with the Gallery." The Corcoran School of Art officially opened its doors in 1890 with two instructors and forty students. The Corcoran School of Art achieved full accreditation status in the 1980s, having already been a member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design since the mid-1970s. In 1999, the School changed its name to the Corcoran College of Art and Design and is Washington's only four-year accredited fine art institution. The BFA program has been expanded to include concentrations in fine art, graphic design, photography and photojournalism.
Mission:
The Corcoran is committed to making the historic art in its collections and the emerging art of our time accessible and understandable to the broadest possible audience through innovative exhibitions and educational programming, systematic research and rigorous scholarship.
Its many activities emphasize the combined resources of its museum and college, and are directed toward diverse communities with widely differing educational and socio-economic backgrounds. Though proud of its important place in the international world of art history and scholarship, the Corcoran is ever mindful of its special obligation to serve the greater Washington region, especially its artists and its young people.
"Grants that Make a Difference" is a rotating
feature profiling grants awarded to 501(c)3 nonprofit
organizations in the Metropolitan Washington,
DC area ONLY (the grantmaker doesn't necessarily
have to be local). The selection of grants for
"Grants That Make a Difference" is based on criteria
such as programmatic interests, geographic focus,
and size, to ensure the broadest possible representation
of the region's nonprofit sector.
If you'd like to see a grant awarded to your NPO
featured here, e-mail a detailed description of
the grant (following the format below), to dclibrary@foundationcenter.org,
with "Grants Submission" in the subject line.
We welcome press releases in addition to, or as
a substitute for the description.
Here is what you need to include:
- Name of your funded program
- The amount of the grant (indicate if multi-year)
- Who received the grant - Your organization's name, contact person's name (if applicable), address, telephone and Web site (if applicable).
- Who gave the grant - Name of the grantmaker
- Community impact: A brief (250 words maximum) explanation of how this program is making a difference in the community.
- Your organization's mission and how it relates to this funded project.
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