Community Engagement

Art Bridges helps museums activate loans, remove admission fees, and reach diverse audiences through four programs.

About the pillar

We support museums in engaging new audiences through transformative programs that advance our vision:

  • Building community

    Our focus is on projects that build lasting connections with new audiences, fostering unique and collaborative experiences

  • Fostering transformation

    We champion projects that transform museum-community engagement and have the potential to reshape the field

  • Supporting interdisciplinarity

    We support projects that integrate multiple disciplines—like the performing arts, science, or technology

  • Strengthening partnerships

    We support collaborations that connect museums with local artists and educators to create meaningful cultural experiences

  • Enriching storytelling

    We encourage exhibitions and programs that present fresh perspectives and amplify underrepresented voices

  • Building community

    Our focus is on projects that build lasting connections with new audiences, fostering unique and collaborative experiences

How our programs build community

Art Bridges funds visitor engagement programs at borrowing museums and fosters diverse museum leadership through the Art Bridges Fellows and Internship programs

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Creating career paths for underrepresented groups

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Funding engagement programs

Learning & Engagement

Our Learning & Engagement team helps Art Bridges partner institutions create transformative programs that connect with new and diverse communities, actively engage current audiences in new ways, and highlight interdisciplinary elements
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Access for All

This 3-year, $40 million program supports 64 museums by covering admission, programming, outreach, and access barriers to engage local audiences.
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Evaluation

Art Bridges supports impact evaluation through COVES, a visitor survey. The award includes tools, stipends, iPads, and three years of training.
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Fellows Program

The Art Bridges Fellows Program is dedicated to creating diverse museum leadership with a national cohort of emerging arts professionals and mentors.
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Internship

At Art Bridges, we are thrilled to work with interns from Northwest Arkansas and all over the country each academic year and summer.
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Partner stories

How We Fund Museums