Iroquois Indian MuseumGrants from the Endeavor Foundation and the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation will support operations and programming throughout closure

Howes Cave, NY -- The Iroquois Indian Museum has been awarded major grants from two foundations to support its programming and operations. The Endeavor Foundation awarded the Museum a grant in the amount of $50,000, and the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation awarded the Museum two grants totaling $40,000.

The $90,000 awards will fund general operating expenses and virtual programming so the Museum can continue its mission of challenging stereotypical perceptions of Native Americans and highlighting the artistic and cultural contributions of the Iroquois people.

“We are thrilled to receive these grants. They make a world of difference for the Museum and allow us to continue offering opportunities for people to engage with Iroquois art and culture and for the Museum to withstand closure due to the pandemic. It has been a challenging year for us because of lost revenue from ticket sales and in-person programming and these grants help immensely,” said Museum Director Stephanie Shultes. 

The Museum adapted to being closed in 2020 by shifting the “Identity/Identify” exhibit opening to a virtual discussion with the artists; creating a Facebook Live series featuring lessons and artist demonstrations; and offering “Virtual Field Trips” for groups from all over the Northeast. The Museum plans to open for in-person visitors and events with Covid safety precautions in place in April. 

The philanthropic support of both The Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation and The Endeavor Foundation has been of vital importance to the Museum since its founding in 1981. 

About the Museum 

Founded in 1981, the Iroquois Indian Museum holds the largest collection of contemporary Iroquois art in the world. It is an educational institution dedicated to fostering understanding of Iroquois culture using Iroquois art as a window to that culture. The Museum is a venue for promoting Iroquois art and artists, and a meeting place for all peoples to celebrate Iroquois culture and diversity. As an anthropological institution, it is informed by research on archaeology, history, and the common creative spirit of modern artists and craftspeople. The Iroquois Indian Museum is located at 324 Caverns Road in Howes Cave, NY. It is scheduled to be open April 1 through November 31, 2021. 

For more information, email Cassandra Miller, communications manager, at iroquoismuseumcassandra@gmail.com