The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation aims to fund innovative projects that solve basic and long-standing problems, predominantly in education within the United States. Its focus areas are art, the environment, and learning differences. The foundation values the entrepreneurial spirit, imagination, risk-taking, family unity, equality, and mutual respect. It also emphasizes educating family members on philanthropy, service, and stewardship.
Innovation Grants target projects, initiatives, or opportunities within the local curatorial space that are novel or address emerging under-resourced trends. They encourage ideas that disrupt standard practices and aim to advance discourse in contemporary art in the U.S. These grants support specific projects or new operational methods, whether public-facing or internal to an institution. Grant terms are up to one year, with amounts ranging from $500 to $10,000, with no matching funds required. The grants can cover up to 25% of staff time and overhead and can be used to leverage other funding opportunities. Larger projects may be considered in phases for additional funding. Outcomes must be reported within a year, but the culmination of the project, initiative, or opportunity is not required. For projects with an international dimension, strategies for sharing learnings in the U.S. must be included. Applicants must be U.S.-based curators focusing on contemporary art.