Mellon Foundation Tops $2 Million in Grants to International African American Museum

The Mellon Foundation, a New York-based major arts and humanities philanthropic organization, made its third contribution to the International African American Museum (IAAM), bringing the total philanthropic investment to over $2 million. The first grant of $150,000 was made in 2017 in support of the building construction and chief curator position. The second grant of $1.5 million, made in 2019, supported the capital campaign and the ongoing development of the curatorial department. The third grant of $500,000 is intended to support IAAM film and media projects over a three-year period.

“This most recent grant from Mellon Foundation came from its newest program area, Humanities in Place,” said Dr. Tonya Matthews, president, and CEO of IAAM. “This program is central to fulfilling the Foundation’s social justice mission. I can think of no better public space for such an investment from one of the world’s most prestigious foundations than our museum and bespoke gardens built here at Gadsden’s Wharf. We are honored.”

Film and media will be integral components of the visitor experience at IAAM. As visitors traverse the various galleries and exhibitions, they will encounter over 40 different media and interactives. The media experiences range from small, 12-inch monitors to cinema-size screens. These engagement points feature short films, documentaries, and educational interactives that will give visitors a rich and diverse experience. In addition to this media in IAAM’s core exhibitions, many of the museum’s rotating exhibitions, which will be featured in the Special Exhibitions Gallery, will spotlight media and film in a variety of ways.

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