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Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts
Graham-foundation-01.jpg
Founded 1956
Type Non-profit organization
Location

The Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts is a non-profit organization. It helps people share new and exciting ideas about architecture. Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings. The Foundation wants to show how buildings affect art, culture, and our world.

The Graham Foundation does this in a few ways. It gives money (called grants) to people and groups for their projects. It also creates special shows, events, and books. The Foundation is located in the historic Madlener House in Chicago, Illinois. Since it started, the Graham Foundation has given out over 4,400 grants.

What Are Graham Foundation Grants?

The Graham Foundation offers two main types of grants to individuals. These are Production and Presentation Grants, and Research and Development Grants. People who apply for grants are chosen based on four important things:

  • Is the idea new and original?
  • Can the project make a big difference?
  • Is the project possible to complete?
  • Does the person or group have the skills to do it?

The Foundation wants to help people grow in their careers. It also supports projects that might not happen without their help. A group of 11 people, called the Board of Trustees, chooses the grant recipients each year. Famous architects like John Ronan and Theaster Gates have been on this board.

Types of Projects Supported

Projects that receive grants can be very different. They include interactive shows, workshops, books, and documentary films. For example, the Foundation has supported a photo study of buildings designed by Le Corbusier. It also helped create an online history of housing for people experiencing homelessness in New York City.

The Graham Foundation has helped publish many important architecture books. These include Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture by Robert Venturi. Another famous book is Delirious New York by Rem Koolhaas. In July 2020, the Foundation announced 52 new awards. These grants, totaling $320,800, support projects that will shape the future of architecture.

Public Programs and Events

The Graham Foundation wants more people to talk about architecture. It also wants everyone to understand how buildings affect society and culture. To do this, the Foundation hosts many public events.

Visiting the Foundation

The Madlener House has galleries where you can see art and exhibits. There is also an outdoor area with pieces of old buildings. The Foundation keeps an archive of books and publications from past grant projects. A large ballroom hosts lectures and other events open to everyone. Many famous architects have given talks or held shows there. These include Rem Koolhaas, Denise Scott Brown, Robert Venturi, Buckminster Fuller, and Louis Kahn.

The Graham Foundation Bookshop

The Madlener House also has a special bookshop. It sells books that were supported by Graham Foundation grants. You can also find international magazines and rare books about architecture. The shop has books on city planning and other related topics too.

See also

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