Georgia Museum of Art receives largest grant in museum history | Arts & Culture

The Georgia Museum of Art recently received the largest grant in its nearly 80-year history: over $1.08 million funded by the Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation.

Museum Director Dr. David Odo, who came into his position in June 2023, spearheaded the effort to secure the funds after the foundation identified the museum as an institution of interest. Before receiving the grant, Odo estimated that it would take at least five years to raise money for future museum endeavors. Now, the fundraising pressure is greatly alleviated.

“This grant makes it possible to really accelerate those plans, so it’s incredibly exciting,” Odo said.

A portion of the grant will expand opportunities for students at the University of Georgia, deepening the relationship between the museum and campus and integrating students as a larger part of the museum’s co-curricular work.

“There’s so much rich opportunity to connect our collection and special exhibitions to courses across campus,” Callan Steinmann, head of education and curator of academic and public programs, said. “To engage in research; in unique learning opportunities; in the galleries with object-based experiences.”

Steinmann oversees engagement with academic and campus groups and public-facing programs as well as museum outreach to community audiences, K-12 students and family groups. She said that she believes the grant will support and grow these existing efforts.

“It’s an exciting time for the museum with a new director, new leadership and this new grant opportunity that will allow us to deepen our engagement with groups on campus and in the community,” Steinmann said.

The grant will also help fund the museum’s new acquisitions of contemporary art. Kathryn Hill, associate curator of modern contemporary art, and Shawnya Harris, deputy director for curatorial and academic affairs, are set to lead an effort to convene artists, scholars and curators around the country with students and faculty at UGA to discuss the most important issues, both in the art world and on campus, to determine the agenda for what artworks to buy.

“What I’ve been most impressed with my team here at the museum is the openness and willingness to change, and to think about the future,” Odo said.

Odo said that the mission of the museum in the coming years is to enhance its engagement with UGA, teaching at all levels and ensuring that its work also benefits the public audience.

“I think that the collaborations and the teaching we can do on campus can really benefit the Athens community, and then the people of the state of Georgia more broadly,” Odo said.