Failey Grant Award Increased to $25,000

Dean and Marie Failey

Since the program’s creation in 2016, Dean F. Failey Grants have become an integral part of the Decorative Arts Trust’s Emerging Scholars Program. The Dean F. Failey Fund, named in honor of the Trust’s late Governor, supports noteworthy research, exhibition, publication, and object-based conservation projects in decorative arts scholarship, material culture, craftsmanship, and historic preservation. Preference is given to projects that employ or are led by young professionals in the museum field, and the Trust aims to support colleagues and projects that represent the full diversity of the field. The recipient list includes the Long Island Museum of American Art, Boscobel House and Gardens, Winterthur Museum, Yale University Art Gallery, and most recently the American Swedish Historical Museum. 

The Decorative Arts Trust is pleased to announce that the grant award will increase from $10,000 to $25,000 for the upcoming cycle, which has an application deadline of October 31, 2020. Funding is available as early as December 1, 2020. The full funding may be given to a single institution, or it may be divided among multiple institutions. 

According to the Trust’s Executive Director, Matthew A. Thurlow, the organization “had the opportunity to reallocate funding within the Emerging Scholars Program to enhance the Failey Grant program. In light of the adverse effect of the pandemic on museum finances and fundraising, we are eager to lend additional support to our colleagues in the cultural sector.” 

Organizations are encouraged to learn more about how to apply on our website. If you are passionate about the decorative arts, also consider supporting the Emerging Scholars program through a donation or a Trust membership.