Founded in 1956, the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts fosters the development and exchange of diverse and challenging ideas about architecture and its role in the arts, culture, and society. Through project-based grants to individuals and organizations, and producing exhibitions, events, and publications, the Graham Foundation realizes its vision.
The Graham Foundation's grantmaking focuses on architecture and related spatial practices that engage with a wide array of cultural, social, political, technological, environmental, and aesthetic issues. It supports projects that investigate the contemporary condition, expand historical perspectives, or explore the future of architecture and the designed environment. This includes innovative investigations in architecture, design, urban planning, and related fields. The foundation encourages work that expands the boundaries of thinking about architecture and space, fostering open discourse to advance study and understanding. The grants aim to support a wide range of practitioners and organizations in creating opportunities for critical dialogue between various publics, promoting risk-taking in programming, and realizing projects that might not be possible without their support. Projects should demonstrate originality, potential for impact, feasibility, and applicant capacity. The Graham Foundation offers Production and Presentation Grants to organizations, assisting with expenses necessary to bring a project to public presentation, with a clear emphasis on supporting projects with defined goals, work plans, and dissemination plans.