Program

Challenge Programs: Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants

Period of Performance

5/1/2020 - 4/30/2025

Funding Totals (matching)

$750,000.00 (approved)
$750,000.00 (offered)
$750,000.00 (awarded)


Bicentennial Love This House Capital Campaign

FAIN: CHA-268747-20

Taft Museum of Art (Cincinnati, OH 45202-4214)
Nick DeCourcy (Project Director: May 2019 to February 2022)
Glen Hopkins (Project Director: February 2022 to July 2023)
Lindsey NeCamp (Project Director: July 2023 to present)

Installation of a new HVAC system and repairs to the envelope and façade of the museum’s 1820 building, which is a National Historic Landmark.

The Taft Museum of Art (TMA) is requesting a $750,000 Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for the installation of a new HVAC system and for repairs to the envelope of its 200-year-old historic house. TMA is a National Historic Landmark (NHL) built around 1820 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The infrastructure project is necessary to ensure the preservation of the historic house, the safekeeping of the permanent fine art collection of 740 objects contained within the house, and to guarantee the continuation of TMA’s humanities educational programming. In 2018, TMA served over 81,000 individuals of all ages through its exhibitions and humanities programming. The infrastructure project will guarantee that the NHL house is protected and well maintained, providing the community ongoing access to the collection, exhibitions, and programming and will ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy one of Cincinnati’s most valued cultural assets.



Media Coverage

Greater Cincinnati Museum Recieves Grant for Infrastructure Improvements (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Nikki Knigery
Publication: Cincinnati Business Courier
Date: 1/16/2020
Abstract: A Greater Cincinnati museum will receive a $750,000 infrastructure grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Taft Museum of Art was awarded the competitive Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grant, the NEH announced Tuesday. The funds will help to preserve and reconstruct the museum’s historic house, which turns 200 years old this year. The article goes on to describe the history of the house and hhow the funds will be used

Taft Museum Getting Big Makeover for its 200th Birthday (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Madeline Mitchell
Publication: Cincinnati.com / The Enquirer
Date: 2/19/2020
Abstract: Article describes in detail history of the house, the discovery of the condition of the wooden structure, the need for rehabilitation of the historic house and the goal to preserve the house and the art collection within for future generations.
URL: http://https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2020/02/19/taft-museum-art-getting-makeover-its-200th-birthday/4741156002/?fbclid=IwAR3Q8TWr8NtWtOoRVQMgQysdYdRwDw2S73CyxvHKVlTbU5VriXNbzOkGVeU



Associated Products

Taft Museum of Art Begins Restoration of 200-year-Old House (Article)
Title: Taft Museum of Art Begins Restoration of 200-year-Old House
Author: Katie Griffith
Abstract: The Taft Museum of Art's Bicentennial Infrastructure Project aims to enhance visitor experience, resolve HVAC issues, upgrade security and fire protection and preserve the museum’s 200-year-old house, as well as its art collection.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/Print?oid=12266522
Access Model: open access
Format: Newspaper
Publisher: CityBeat

Frame Work (Blog Post)
Title: Frame Work
Author: Taft Museum of Art
Author: Sarah Ditlinger, Marketing
Abstract: Highlights from the Taft Historic House Architectural Points of Interest in the Newly Preserved Home
Date: 06/01/2022
Primary URL: https://www.taftmuseum.org/blog/posts/2022/june/highlights-from-the-taft-historic-house
Website: Taft Museum of Art

Preserving a National Historic Landmark (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Preserving a National Historic Landmark
Writer: Sarah Ditlinger
Director: Sarah Ditlinger
Producer: Media Production Division, University of Cincinnati
Producer: Taft Museum of Art
Abstract: The nine-minute video captures a year of behind the scenes work on a wooden 200-year-old historic house that is now the Taft Museum of Art. The video includes interviews with key stakeholders from the museum and from the experts who worked on the project.
Year: 2022
Primary URL: http://www.taftmuseum.org/exhibitions/landmark
Access Model: Open access, available on the museum's website
Format: Video