FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: May 14, 2013 Contact Natalie Mathis Director of Institutional Advancement (513) 352-5133 nmathis@taftmuseum.org
Taft Museum of Art receives National Endowment for the Arts grant to support C.F. Daubigny and the Birth of Impressionism This grant is one of 817 NEA Art Works grants totaling $26.3 million in funding nationwide Cincinnati— National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa recently announced that the Taft Museum of Art is one of 817 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant. The Museum is recommended for a $70,000 grant to support planning for an international exhibition of the work of Charles François Daubigny, to be featured at the Taft Museum in 2016. C.F. Daubigny and the Birth of Impressionism is the first international examination of a key 19th-century French landscape painter including related paintings by the young Impressionists, whom Daubigny directly influenced. Organized with the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, and the National Galleries of Scotland, the exhibition will feature 55 paintings spanning four decades and will alter our view of Impressionism. Works will be borrowed equally from European and American collections; the accessibility and beauty of the landscapes will attract a broad Midwestern audience in its Cincinnati venue. “The Board and staff of the Taft Museum of Art are thrilled and grateful that the NEA is offering financial support at a high level—the Taft’s award is among the top six grants conferred on American art museums in this cycle—which we interpret as a welcome vote of confidence, one that will inspire us as we move forward with the project.” —Deborah Emont Scott, Director/CEO Acting Chairman Shigekawa said, "The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support these exciting and diverse arts projects that will take place throughout the United States. Whether it is through a focus on education, engagement, or innovation, these projects all contribute to vibrant communities and memorable opportunities for the public to engage with the arts." “The Taft Museum of Art is delighted to be partnering with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh, to present the first international exhibition of the landscape paintings of Charles François Daubigny (1817-1878), which is also the first exhibition to examine the rich history of the artist’s relationships with his protégées Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro, and—after Daubigny’s death—his importance for a later admirer, Vincent van Gogh.” —Lynne Ambrosini, Chief Curator. In August 2012, the NEA received 1,547 eligible applications for Art Works grants requesting more than $80 million in funding. Art Works grants support the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and the strengthening of communities through the arts. The 817 recommended NEA grants total $26.3 million and span 13 artistic disciplines and fields. Applications were reviewed by panels of outside experts convened by NEA staff and each project was judged on its artistic excellence and artistic merit. For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA website at arts.gov.
The Taft Museum of Art is at 316 Pike St., in downtown Cincinnati. The Museum is open Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, students, and teachers, $4 for youth 12-17, and free for children under 12. The Museum is free to all on Sundays. Call 513-241-0343 or visit the website at www.taftmuseum.org for additional information. ###### The Taft Museum of Art is supported in part by the generosity of individuals and businesses that give annually to ArtsWave. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Museum with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Taft Museum of Art is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is affiliated with the Association of Midwest Museums and the Ohio Museums Association. Mission Statement The Taft Museum of Art welcomes people of every background to experience a world-renowned collection in a beautiful historic house. Through its intimate presentation of Anna and Charles Taft’s treasures and its engaging exhibitions, programs, and activities, the Museum creates enjoyment and learning opportunities for all. Diversity Statement The Taft Museum of Art respects the dignity of all people and values what each member of our team brings to the organization. Accordingly, the Museum is committed to building an inclusive environment that welcomes and values diversity. This includes our staff, board of directors, volunteers and visitors. As an organization we recognize the importance of attracting and retaining talented people of different backgrounds. We understand how a diverse work team of staff, board of directors and volunteers benefits our organization by enabling us to draw upon a richness of resources. We want all our team members to feel appreciated for their uniqueness, so we work to foster an environment that provides everyone equal access to information and opportunities. This ensures that each person learns, grows, excels and maximizes his or her personal contributions. The Museum will thus be able to tap into a greater wealth of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences to develop and deliver programs and services to an increasingly diverse audience.