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Dedalus Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.5M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Dedalus Foundation Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,503,191 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (see details below)
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $30,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (U.S.-based), with some NYC-specific programs
  • Total Assets: $62,987,325 (2024)

Contact Details

Main Address:
25 East 21st Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10010

Phone: 212.220.4220

Email:

Website: www.dedalusfoundation.org

Social Media:

  • Facebook: DedalusFoundation
  • Instagram: @dedalusfoundation
  • Twitter: @dedalusfndn

Overview

The Dedalus Foundation was founded in 1981 by the abstract expressionist artist Robert Motherwell to support "the public understanding and appreciation of modern art and the principles of modernism." With total assets of approximately $63 million and annual charitable disbursements of $3.5 million (2024), the Foundation has provided more than 500 grants to hundreds of museums, educational institutions, and community organizations supporting vital programming in modern and contemporary art.

In January 2025, the Foundation appointed Katy Rogers as President & CEO. Rogers, who joined the Foundation in 2003 and previously served as Programs Director, stated: "I am honored to lead the Dedalus Foundation into its next phase, building on Robert Motherwell's uniquely expansive vision to promote engagement with modernism and the arts by emphasizing access, education, and dialogue."

The Foundation's programming spans individual fellowships for scholars and artists, book and catalogue awards, institutional grants focused on equity and diversity, and extensive research and documentation of Robert Motherwell's artistic legacy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Senior Fellowship in Art History

  • Amount: Up to $30,000 (varies by project)
  • Duration: Up to one year
  • Focus: Critical and historical studies related to painting, sculpture, and allied arts from the twentieth century
  • Application: Rolling basis with deadline of September 15 annually
  • Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are not currently matriculated students; institutional affiliation not required

Dissertation Fellowship

  • Amount: $25,000
  • Focus: PhD candidates researching painting, sculpture, and allied arts from the twentieth century, with preference for Abstract Expressionism
  • Application: Nomination-only; nominations accepted September 15 - December 2
  • Eligibility: PhD candidates at U.S. universities who have advanced to candidacy

MFA Fellowship in Painting and Sculpture

  • Amount: $15,000 each (four awarded annually)
  • Focus: Final-year MFA students in painting and sculpture
  • Application: Nomination-only; institutions may nominate two candidates; nominations deadline December 19, applications deadline January 15
  • Selection: Jury of distinguished artists, curators, and critics

Robert Motherwell Book Award

  • Amount: $10,000
  • Focus: Outstanding publications in the history and criticism of modernism in the arts
  • Application: Publisher nominations accepted October 15 - December 16
  • Eligibility: Books first published in English in the previous year

Robert Motherwell Book Award for First-Time Authors

  • Amount: $10,000
  • Focus: First-time authors of books on modernism in the arts
  • Application: Publisher nominations accepted October 15 - December 16

Exhibition Catalogue Award

  • Amount: Not specified
  • Focus: Exhibition catalogues making significant contributions to the scholarship of modern art or modernism
  • Application: Nominations accepted October 15 - December 16
  • Eligibility: Catalogues published in English in the previous year

High School Scholarship (NYC)

  • Amount: $2,000 each (up to seven awarded)
  • Focus: Graduating NYC high school seniors pursuing fine arts or art history
  • Application: April 23 deadline
  • Administered by: NYC Department of Education

Fund for Past Fellows and Awardees

  • Amount: Up to $3,000 per project
  • Focus: Targeted support for past Dedalus awardees pursuing ambitious projects
  • Application: Rolling review cycles with deadlines March 3, July 7, November 1
  • Reapplication: Three-year waiting period after previous award

Institutional Grants

  • Focus: Initiatives promoting equity and diversity in the arts
  • Amount: Varied (2021 grants totaled $64,900 to seven organizations)
  • Application Process: Not publicly disclosed
  • Past Recipients (2021): Brandywine Workshop & Archives, ArtStart, The Fortune Society, BOMB Oral History Project, The Laundromat Project, Harlem School of the Arts, Culture Push

Priority Areas

  • Modern art and modernism (particularly 20th century)
  • Abstract Expressionism
  • Painting, sculpture, and allied arts
  • Art historical scholarship and criticism
  • Equity and diversity in the arts
  • Educational initiatives in art and art history
  • Museum and institutional programming
  • Robert Motherwell's artistic legacy

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the Foundation maintains a clear focus on modernism and 20th-century art. Projects outside this scope or unrelated to their mission are unlikely to receive support.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Katy Rogers - President & CEO
  • Morgan Spangle - Vice President & Treasurer (also serves as Executive Director)
  • Tim Clifford - Secretary
  • Jack Flam - Board Member (served as President 2002-2024; board member since 1991)
  • Pamela Auchincloss - Board Member

Staff:

  • Julie PhamVu - Programs Manager
  • Sean Meehan - Programs Officer
  • Julia Norman - Programs Coordinator
  • Monica McTighe - Archivist
  • Maria Quinata - Senior Researcher
  • George Ericson - Facilities & Technologies Manager

Jack Flam is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Art and Art History at Brooklyn College and The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. In 2024, he was named CAA113 Distinguished Scholar by the College Art Association. He described Katy Rogers as "both a gifted administrator and a distinguished scholar of Robert Motherwell's work."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications vary by program:

Senior Fellowship:

  • Submit single PDF application through website interface
  • Required materials: applicant and project information, project statement (2,000 word limit), three referee contacts, budget statement
  • Format: Times New Roman, 12pt typeface
  • Deadline: September 15, 5 PM ET
  • Contact: fellowships@dedalusfoundation.org

Dissertation Fellowship:

  • Nomination-only (contact PhD program for nomination)
  • Required materials: dissertation description, biographical statement, CV, graduate transcript, three reference letters
  • Nomination period: September 15 - December 2, 5 PM EST
  • Contact: fellowships@dedalusfoundation.org

MFA Fellowship:

  • Nomination-only (institutions may nominate two final-year candidates)
  • Required materials: Eight JPGs of work samples with descriptive list, biographical statement
  • Nomination deadline: December 19
  • Application deadline: January 15, 5 PM EST
  • Contact: fellowships@dedalusfoundation.org

Robert Motherwell Book Awards (both awards):

Exhibition Catalogue Award:

  • Museum, gallery, or publisher nominations
  • Nomination period: October 15 - December 16
  • Shortlisted publishers contacted in February to send review copies to jury
  • Contact: cataward@dedalusfoundation.org

High School Scholarship:

  • Through NYC public schools
  • Deadline: April 23, 5 PM
  • Administered by NYC Department of Education

Fund for Past Fellows:

Institutional Grants:

Decision Timeline

Senior Fellowship: Announcements made by mid-December (approximately 3 months after September deadline)

Dissertation Fellowship: Decision timeline not publicly specified

MFA Fellowship: Decision timeline not publicly specified (jury review follows January application deadline)

Book Awards: Jury review occurs after December 16 deadline; announcement timing varies

High School Scholarship: Selection made by jury of art teachers, supervisors, and museum/art school representatives following April deadline; scholarship exhibition typically held in late spring

Fund for Past Fellows: Review occurs in cycles following each deadline

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose application numbers or acceptance rates for most programs. Available information:

MFA Fellowship: Four fellowships awarded annually from national pool of nominations (two per institution maximum)

Dissertation Fellowship: One fellowship awarded annually

High School Scholarship: Up to seven scholarships awarded annually

Senior Fellowship: Number of awards varies annually based on project merit and budget

Reapplication Policy

Fund for Past Fellows: Recipients may reapply three years after receipt of previous award

Other Programs: Reapplication policies not publicly disclosed. Contact fellowships@dedalusfoundation.org for program-specific guidance.

Application Success Factors

Focus on Modernism and 20th Century Art:
All fellowship and award programs emphasize modern art, modernism, and particularly 20th-century painting, sculpture, and allied arts. The Dissertation Fellowship specifically notes a "preference for Abstract Expressionism." Applications should demonstrate deep engagement with these movements and periods.

Clear Project Definition:
The Senior Fellowship requires a detailed project statement (2,000 words maximum) and budget statement. The Foundation awards "according to the needs of the specific project," suggesting that well-defined, feasible projects with clear outcomes are favored over vague proposals.

Academic and Artistic Excellence:
The MFA Fellowship jury comprises "distinguished artists, curators and critics." Past High School Scholarship judging has emphasized "the challenging of conventions, the reworking and reinterpreting of ideas about art, and the energies apparent in the production of the art. An in-depth exploration of technique, medium, as well as subject matter should be evident."

Nomination-Based Programs:
For Dissertation and MFA Fellowships, institutional nomination is required. Building strong relationships with department chairs and advisors who can advocate for your candidacy is essential.

Format and Presentation Matter:
The Foundation specifies exact formatting requirements (Times New Roman, 12pt, single PDF). Attention to these details demonstrates professionalism and respect for review processes.

Equity and Diversity Alignment:
Under new President Katy Rogers, the Foundation emphasizes "access, education, and dialogue." Institutional grants specifically target "initiatives that promote equity and diversity in the arts." Projects demonstrating commitment to these values align with current priorities.

Strong References:
Most programs require three letters of recommendation. These should come from recognized figures in the field who can speak specifically to the applicant's scholarly or artistic merit and the significance of the proposed project.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Modernism is central: Every program centers on modern art and 20th-century movements. Applications must demonstrate clear connections to modernism, particularly Abstract Expressionism for dissertation research.

  • Nomination matters: For Dissertation and MFA Fellowships, securing institutional nomination is the critical first step. Engage with department leadership early.

  • Be specific with projects: The Foundation funds "specific projects" with clear outcomes, not general career support. Define your project scope, timeline, and budget precisely.

  • Follow format requirements exactly: Technical specifications (file format, typeface, word limits) are non-negotiable. Missing these details could disqualify otherwise strong applications.

  • Three-month timeline for Senior Fellowship: With a September 15 deadline and mid-December announcement, plan for approximately 12 weeks from submission to decision.

  • Institutional grants are relationship-based: The application process for institutional grants is not public. Organizations seeking support should contact grants@dedalusfoundation.org to inquire about current priorities and processes.

  • Past fellows have ongoing support: The Fund for Past Fellows creates a long-term relationship. Strong performance on initial awards may lead to future support.

References

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