The mission of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation involves the appreciation, interpretation, preservation, study, and teaching of European art and architecture from antiquity to the early 19th century. It focuses on fostering a deeper understanding of European artistic achievements and their relationship and influence on historic preservation within the United States.
The Richard L. Blinder Award is a biennial grant given to an architect or other professional in a related historic preservation field. It supports proposals that explore the interface between architecture and preservation, whether through practical projects or theoretical exercises. The award places a premium on originality and mandates that proposals contribute to the advancement of architectural preservation in the United States. Submissions can be either graphic or text-based, or a mix of both, but must be shareable with the wider architecture and preservation community. Projects are evaluated based on their demonstrated need, value in advancing historic preservation practice, realistic dissemination plan within 24 months, clear goals, timeframe, work plan, budget, and evidence of innovative and original approaches. The grant provides up to $15,000 in funding.