Rubin Museum of Art

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $200,000-$230,000
• Success Rate: ~11% (2025: 15 grants from 132 applications)
• Decision Time: 7 months (February to September)
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $25,000 (plus $30,000 Art Prize)
• Geographic Focus: International

Contact Details

• Website: rubinmuseum.org
• Grants Email: grants@rubinmuseum.org
• Location: New York City (operating as global museum without physical location as of October 2024)

Overview

The Rubin Museum of Art, founded in 2004, is a unique institution dedicated to Himalayan art that evolved from a traditional museum into a "global museum without walls" in October 2024. With nearly 4,000 Himalayan art objects spanning 1,500 years in its collection, the Rubin operates substantial grant programs providing $200,000-$230,000 annually to artists, researchers, and scholars worldwide. Their mission centers on broadly sharing Himalayan art and its cultural context to expand awareness, enhance well-being, and cultivate compassion. Under Executive Director Jorrit Britschgi's leadership since 2017, the museum has expanded its grant-making activities and established the prestigious Rubin Art Prize in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Rubin x Art Projects Grants: $2,500 - $25,000

• Supports artists and creatives whose practices give visibility to the rich cultural legacy and living traditions of the Himalayan region
• Application method: Annual cycle with letter of inquiry followed by invitation-only full application
• Deadline: March 6 for letter of inquiry

Rubin x Research Grants: $2,500 - $25,000

• Supports scholarship and research into Himalayan art in academic, educational, and exhibition contexts
• Application method: Annual cycle with letter of inquiry followed by invitation-only full application
• Deadline: March 6 for letter of inquiry

Rubin Art Prize: $30,000

• Recognizes exceptional contemporary Himalayan artists
• The largest award of its kind supporting Himalayan artists
• Annual award established in 2024

Priority Areas

• Contemporary art practices rooted in Himalayan cultural traditions
• Research and scholarship on historical Himalayan art
• Documentation and preservation of Buddhist heritage
• Educational programs expanding understanding of Himalayan cultures
• Projects that bridge traditional and contemporary Himalayan artistic practices
• Initiatives that give visibility to living Himalayan traditions

What They Don't Fund

• Commercial projects or for-profit ventures
• Print publication production costs
• Conferences or symposiums
• Infrastructural projects
• Research focused exclusively on contemporary art (without historical component)
• Projects outside the Himalayan cultural sphere

Governance and Leadership

The Rubin Museum is led by Executive Director Jorrit Britschgi, who has overseen the institution's transformation since 2017. The organization is guided by a dedicated Board of Trustees who provide financial support and strategic direction. The museum operates as a public, not-for-profit organization registered in New York with EIN 22-6799567. Following the 2024 transformation to a global museum model, the leadership emphasized that this decision was made "from a position of financial strength," allowing them to expand their impact through grant-making and partnerships worldwide.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications follow a two-step process through the museum's online portal:

1. Letter of Inquiry: Submit online summary of proposed project
2. Full Application: By invitation only after letter of inquiry review

All communication should be directed to grants@rubinmuseum.org

Decision Timeline

Annual Grant Cycle (2026 example):

• February 16: Letter of inquiry opens
• March 6: Letter of inquiry deadline
• April 15: Invitations to full applications sent
• June 15: Full grant applications due
• September 15: Grantees notified

Total time from initial submission to notification: 7 months

Success Rates

2025 Grant Cycle:

• Applications received: 132 letters of inquiry
• Grants awarded: 15 projects
• Success rate: ~11%

2024 Grant Cycle:

• Applications received: Close to 150 from 30 countries
• Grants awarded: 17 projects
• Success rate: ~11%

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent grant cycles. There are no stated restrictions or waiting periods for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on recent funding patterns and the museum's stated priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

• Clear connection to Himalayan art and culture: All funded projects must directly relate to the Himalayan region's artistic and cultural heritage
• Balance between tradition and innovation: Projects like Studio Nyandak's documentation work ($25,000) and contemporary artist collectives show the museum values both preservation and evolution
• International perspective welcomed: 2024 applications came from 30 countries, showing global reach is not a barrier
• Diverse project scales: Grants ranging from $3,000 to $25,000 indicate the museum supports both modest and ambitious projects
• Research and creative practice equally valued: Both scholarly research and artistic creation receive substantial support
• Collaborative approaches favored: Several funded projects involve multiple partners or collective efforts
• Documentation and preservation emphasis: Multiple 2025 grants went to projects documenting and preserving Buddhist heritage

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Submit letter of inquiry by early March deadline - this is your only entry point into the application process
• Clearly articulate connection to Himalayan art and culture - this is non-negotiable
• Both emerging and established practitioners are welcome - career stage is not a barrier
• International applications are encouraged - geographic location is not limiting
• Average grant size is approximately $13,000 based on recent awards
• Competition is significant with ~11% success rate - ensure your project stands out through clear alignment with priorities
• The museum's transformation to a "global museum without walls" model may favor projects with broader reach and digital components

References

• Rubin Museum official website - Grant Programs page (rubinmuseum.org/grants/) - Accessed February 2026
• "Rubin Museum Announces 2025 Grant and Prize Recipients" - Rubin Museum Press Release, December 2024
• "Rubin Museum of Art to Close Manhattan Building, Become 'Global Museum'" - ARTnews, October 2024
• "Rubin Museum Awards $200,000 in Grants for Himalayan Art" - Hyperallergic, December 2024
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Rubin Museum of Art (EIN 226799567) - IRS Form 990 filings 2023-2025
• Charity Navigator Profile - Rubin Museum of Art
• "The Rubin Museum is Closing. What Does That Mean for Its Collection?" - Art Forum, October 2024
• Rubin Museum Annual Reports 2019-2023 - Available at rubinmuseum.org