The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation aims to fund innovative projects that solve basic and long-standing problems, predominantly in education within the United States. Its focus areas are art, the environment, and learning differences. The foundation values the entrepreneurial spirit, imagination, risk-taking, family unity, equality, and mutual respect. It also emphasizes educating family members on philanthropy, service, and stewardship.
The Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Award supports the creation of thematic exhibitions that present contemporary art and/or architecture in novel or unconventional contexts, challenging traditional perspectives and encouraging critical dialogue. It was established to honor founder Emily Hall Tremaine's dedication to art and artists. The grant encourages curators to develop exhibitions that have intellectual rigor, innovative thinking, and the potential to impact both the professional field and the broader public. The award includes funding for research, development, and the implementation of exhibitions, with additional support for living artist honorariums, enhanced engagement activities, and unforeseen post-opening opportunities, totaling up to $200,000. Criteria for the award emphasize the proposal’s intellectual quality, degree of innovation, and potential for impact and feasibility.