Rutgers’ Zimmerli Art Museum Awarded Nissan Foundation Grant In Support of Free Public Programming & Educational Tools for Indigenous Identities Exhibition

• Nissan Foundation grant to fund free public programming for Indigenous Identities: Here, Now & Always, aimed at promoting a greater appreciation and understanding of diverse cultural heritage
• Programs are posted on the Zimmerli’s calendar zimmerli.rutgers.edu/events

New Brunswick, NJ—The Nissan Foundation named the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University—New Brunswick as a 2024 grant recipient. This is the museum’s and university's first grant from the Nissan Foundation, which will help fund a series of free, public programs for all ages in conjunction with the groundbreaking exhibition Indigenous Identities: Here, Now & Always, on view at the Zimmerli from Feb. 1 through Dec. 21, 2025.

The grant from the Nissan Foundation will support in-person and virtual programming and educational tools related to the exhibition throughout 2025, including, but not limited to:

• An opening celebration on Feb. 1, featuring a conversation between artists from the exhibition, a land acknowledgement and song;
• Evening for Educators on Feb. 13 invites educators from local pre-K–12 schools and universities to learn about the exhibition and build community while developing inspiration from guided exhibition tours and a pedagogical workshop led by a Native American educator, and to take home a learning guide for incorporating the exhibition into lesson plans and syllabi;
• The monthly SparkNight Art Party celebrating Women’s History Month on March 6 with pop-up tours that highlight contributions of Native American women artists in the exhibition, as well as thematic art-making activities and performances;
• The longtime, popular drop-in family workshop series Art Together finds inspiration in the exhibition on April 13, with an activity led by an experienced teaching artist; and
• Two scholarly talks: “Traditional/Contemporary: Perspectives on Native American Art” on March 27 and a virtual roundtable on Native American activism on June 3.

Please visit zimmerli.rutgers.edu/events for all details, including registration, parking, and accessibility accommodations, as well as programs added throughout the run of the exhibition.

“The Nissan Foundation’s support is key to Zimmerli’s ongoing efforts to amplify historically unheard voices,” said museum director Maura Reilly. “With in-person and virtual events, and educational tools, this yearlong endeavor provides a platform for 95 contemporary Native American artists from across the continent to share their stories and engage with regional visitors, which will inevitably connect with and impact audiences on a worldwide scale.”

The Nissan Foundation is awarding a total of $1.2 million in grants to 44 nonprofit organizations for its 2024 grant cycle. The nonprofit recipients are in Atlanta, Central Mississippi, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Middle Tennessee, New York City/New Jersey, Southeast Michigan, and Southern California – all locations where Nissan has an operational presence.

“We’re honored to support the work of Rutgers’ Zimmerli Art Museum,” said Chandra Vasser President of the Nissan Foundation and Nissan’s first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. “The Nissan Foundation is about building community by valuing diversity, and this free public programming from the Zimmerli brings that mission to life.”

In the 32 years since, the Nissan Foundation has awarded nearly $17 million to more than 150 nonprofit organizations to support innovative programs that break down societal barriers and build inclusive communities through education and outreach. Grant recipients promote cultural diversity across a variety of arts, education, social and public programs in seven U.S. communities where Nissan operates.

The Zimmerli commissioned renowned Native American artist and curator Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation), to organize the exhibition Indigenous Identities: Here, Now & Always. Artists represent 74 distinct Indigenous nations and communities from across North America with work that includes painting, works on paper, photography, ceramics, beadwork, weaving, sculpture, installation, and video. 

“The Zimmerli is committed to being an empathetic museum for a beloved community, one defined by diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. Our permanent collections have been reinstalled to represent more accurately the diversity of our surrounding communities,” Reilly added. “Our programming aims to be inclusive in its presenters and audience, with attention to helping dismantle barriers between communities. Indigenous Identities exemplifies these values and the power of the arts and humanities to educate our world on the benefits of a more diverse and inclusive society, aligning with Nissan Foundation's mission.”

The Nissan Foundation was created in 1992 as a thoughtful response to civil unrest that occurred near Nissan North America’s then U.S. sales and marketing operations in Southern California following the Rodney King trial verdict. Nissan established a $5 million endowment to promote cultural diversity.

Nissan Foundation grants are awarded annually. Nonprofit organizations working to bring diverse cultural perspectives, experiences and voices to communities across the country may be eligible to apply for a Nissan Foundation grant. Learn more about all the 2024 Nissan Foundation grantees at www.NissanFoundation.com. For more information about the Nissan Foundation and its application process, visit the Nissan Foundation page.

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