Strengthening the Case for Foundation Support of Educational Arts Programs at Museums

This paper is intended to uncover a range of strategies for museums, and all arts organizations, to establish more effective and sustainable programs that will allow them to make a stronger case for foundation support in the current fundraising environment, which has changed drastically since the 2008 stock market crash and will presumably grow increasingly competitive over time. A review of literature focusing on the museum and fundraising fields discusses various expert opinions on the unique strengths and perceived public role of museums and the various strategies they are employing to heighten the impact and visibility of their programs. Augmenting the literature is an overview of two recent Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) reports examining the characteristics of the most successful museum-run education programs and funder motivations. Further analysis of two recent Foundation Center publications details the recent decline and slow recovery of overall foundation funding levels and points out that arts programs will not feel the brunt of funding cuts more than other sectors.M.S., Arts Administration -- Drexel University, 201