2025
Cultured Magazine
Young Collectors 2025 ↗
About · Full transparency
Where the money goes.
We believe a foundation should be legible. Below is our mission, how our work is structured, where every dollar is directed in Year One, and how we hold ourselves accountable.
Mission
We build a more equitable and representative cultural future.
The Falls Foundation expands cultural access by supporting artists and communities historically excluded from the resources that shape cultural memory. Through funding, commissioning, and leadership development, we build a more equitable and representative cultural future.
Read the full missionThe three pillars
Pillar 01
Equity Grants for Permanent Collections
We award 10 annual $25,000 grants to museum collections to acquire works by historically underrepresented artists.
Why this matters: Permanent collections shape cultural memory for generations. They determine what is preserved and who is remembered.
Model
- 10 grants per year
- $25,000 each
- Funds restricted to permanent-collection acquisitions only
Impact metrics
- Increase in acquisition percentages for underrepresented artists
- Public programs or interpretation generated by the acquisition
- Longitudinal tracking of artist representation
Pillar 02
Global Commissioning Network
We commission artist-led, site-responsive projects in communities underserved by traditional cultural institutions.
Why this matters: Nearly 40% of U.S. counties have no cultural institutions with contemporary arts programming. (National Center for Arts Research, 2022)
Model
- Annual commissioning cycles (2–4 projects per year)
- Focus on regions lacking cultural infrastructure
- Artist-led concept development
- Local partnership for site, production, and engagement
- Public programs as required outputs
Impact metrics
- Site attendance
- Community engagement hours
- Geographic reach
- Artist visibility (press, exhibitions, institutional partnerships)
Pillar 03
Residencies (Artist + Curatorial)
Our dual-track residency program supports artists developing new work and curators reimagining exhibition-making, interpretation, and representation.
Why this matters: Residencies correlate with significant increases in artists’ long-term income and institutional support. (Creative Independent Residency Survey, 2020)
Model
- 3–6 month residencies
- Studio or research space
- Monthly stipend
- Mentorship with global arts leaders
- Final exhibition, publication, or public program
Impact metrics
- Residency alumni institutional placements
- New work and research produced
- Long-term relationships between artists, communities, and institutions
Year-One allocation
Equity Grants
10 awards × $25,000
50%
Commissioning Network
2 inaugural public works
24%
Residencies
1 artist + 1 curatorial
14%
Operations & Advisory
Board, partnerships, impact report
12%
Total Year-One program budget$500,000
Illustrative Year-One figures drawn from the activation plan. Replace with board-approved budget before launch.
Impact framework
- 01 Changes in permanent collection demographics
- 02 Number of commissioning sites activated
- 03 Residency alumni institutional placements
- 04 Distribution of projects across underserved geographies
- 05 Community participation rates
- 06 Public access and interpretation metrics
Year One activation
01
Launch Equity Grants (10 awards)
02
Commission 2 inaugural public works
03
Host 1 artist and 1 curatorial resident
04
Build advisory board and institutional partnerships
05
Release annual impact report