The Hammer Museum has received a $200,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to support its schedule of 300-plus public programs each year, which address a broad range of relevant political, cultural and civic topics.
Programs organized in 2017 have featured preeminent experts discussing pressing issues of national importance. A post-election community gathering in February called “Show up, Dive in, Stay at it” brought together civil rights advocates to speak about immigration, protest, women’s rights, and human rights in light of the new administration. Other recent programs have highlighted the #SayHerName movement, the future for DREAMers, and tribal rights in the face of corporate development. The Hammer regularly livestreams these events online and has witnessed a 50 percent increase in views per program in the past year.
“We are incredibly proud and grateful to be partnering with the Ford Foundation,” Hammer Director Ann Philbin said. “While the Hammer’s exhibitions and artist projects have long captured national and international attention, we are eager now to share our equally impactful public programs with the wider audience they deserve. By investing in a critical pillar of our activities, Ford is giving us the ability to strengthen our infrastructure, share this important work more broadly, and realize the full potential of our public programs.”
The Hammer will use the grant money to upgrade its technological infrastructure through digital outreach for a wider audience as well as for the archiving of old content.
