WMA awarded $105,000 from The Daniel Foundation of Alabama
DOTHAN, Alabama – July 2, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it has received a multi-year grant award for operations funding totaling $105,000 from The Daniel Foundation of Alabama. The museum will receive $35,000 per year from the foundation for three years — 2019, 2020 and 2021.
WMA has previously received support from the organization for exhibitions and educational programming, but this is the first unrestricted award granted for the purpose of bolstering the museum’s annual operations, and will allow the museum to remain flexible and respond to the more immediate needs of the community through art and educational programs.
“The Daniel Foundation of Alabama sees the consistency of multi-year operational funding as an opportunity for the Wiregrass Museum of Art, as a major provider of arts programming in the region, to continue to focus on and strengthen the wide variety of programming the community has come to expect,” said Maria Kennedy, executive director of The Daniel Foundation of Alabama.
“Our hope is the dependability of this support over the next three years will provide WMA with the opportunity to consider programs or exhibitions that may have been out of reach without such a consistency in funding.”
Because of this operational support, WMA will continue to provide opportunities for artists — both emerging and established — to create and exhibit new and groundbreaking work. The award indicates The Daniel Foundations’s faith in WMA to fulfill its mission — to inspire a lifelong appreciation for the visual arts through accessible and innovative educational programs and the exhibition and collection of quality works of art — and to provide exceptional day-to-day experiences for a growing audience of visitors.
With the grant, WMA will continue to serve the Wiregrass community beyond its role as a visual arts museum, becoming a communal “third space” for citizens to gather beyond their homes and workplaces. The museum is committed to providing programs that respond to the needs of its regional residents, and flexibility in funding gives WMA more opportunities to do so, whether that is through response to an unexpected event or ongoing cultural needs. WMA intends for these programs to remind the community that the museum is an inclusive space for conversation and learning.
“Support towards the museum’s annual fund, rather than a restricted or program-based award, will allow WMA to remain flexible in our programming goals and to plan based on the evolving needs of our community. WMA values excellence and professionalism in all of our work, and we are grateful for The Daniel Foundation’s trust in us, and in their committing to a multi-year partnership,” said Dana-Marie Lemmer, director and curator of the Wiregrass Museum of Art.
In the last year, the museum hosted hundreds of children and their families for free art activities in the studio during the five days after Hurricane Michael struck the area, knocking out power to most of Dothan’s neighborhoods. And programming related to the recent WMA exhibition “Continuum: 1808 to 2017/ Goya to Erdreich” invited the community to participate in panel discussions, lectures, film screenings, and live performances in an effort to explore and discuss the topics of war, violence, racism, and nationalism addressed in the works on display.
WMA also invites guests to gather during its Third Thursday programming to share original writing during Write Night: Open Mic Night, or to just enjoy a free movie out in the museum’s garden during Screen on the Green. Both events are held quarterly.
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About the Wiregrass Museum of Art
The Wiregrass Museum of Art inspires a lifelong appreciation for the visual arts by providing innovative educational programs that engage diverse audiences through the collection and exhibition of quality works. Since its founding in 1988, WMA has offered educational programs, nationally-acclaimed art exhibitions and community events throughout the year. Its Board of Trustees guides the long-term vision and strategic goals, while its membership, City and County support, and grant funding provide the resources needed to fulfill its mission.
WMA’s galleries are open to the public every Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. General admission is always free. Private tours with guided art activities in the studio can be arranged by appointment on Mondays and Tuesdays. For tour information, visit wiregrassmuseum.org/museum-tours.
About The Daniel Foundation of Alabama
The Daniel Foundation of Alabama’s mission is to strengthen communities within Alabama and improve the quality of life for citizens from all regions of Alabama. We believe this can be achieved through support of effective organizations that are focused on building a healthy and well-educated population, living in a vibrant community.
Contact:
Lara Kosolapoff-Wright
Communications Manager, WMA
334.794.3871, Ext. 27
lara@wiregrassmuseum.org