The mission of the Decorative Arts Trust, a non-profit organization, is to promote and foster the appreciation and study of the decorative arts. Their efforts include exchanging information through programming, collaborating with museums and preservation organizations, and underwriting internships, research grants, and scholarships for graduate students and young professionals.
The IDEAL Internship Grants program offered by the Decorative Arts Trust aims to support museums and historic sites by providing up to $5,000 in funding for internships. These internships are intended to enhance inclusivity, diversity, equity, access, and leadership within the museum field, specifically targeting underrepresented communities. The Trust encourages the creation of summer and academic-year internships for disadvantaged high school and undergraduate students that focus on the decorative arts and involve object-based research, exhibitions, installations, and educational programs. Additionally, there is a possibility for a second year of funding for institutions that show significant impact from the grant.