Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors is proud to be a part of the team guiding the newly launched Diversifying Art Museum Leadership Initiative. The Initiative, a project of the Walton Family and Ford Foundations, aims to encourage diversity in the arts sector by funding 20 innovative programs at art museums across the United States.

“Recent studies have shown that the staff and leadership of art museums do not adequately reflect the socio-economic and racial demographics of the country. According to a national study by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, only 16 percent of art museum leadership positions were held by people of color, despite the fact that 38 percent of Americans identify as Asian, Black, Hispanic or multi-racial.

“Through the Diversifying Art Museum Leadership Initiative, the Ford Foundation and Walton Family Foundation will support innovative strategies and programs to advance diversity across the sector, including hiring professionals from under-represented populations and offering fellowships, mentorships, and other career development options for diverse professionals.”

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors will serve as the fiscal sponsor for the Diversifying Art Museum Leadership Initiative throughout its three-year lifespan.

Learn more about the Diversifying Art Museum Initiative here.

Back to News