Giving "for America"
Walter Ufer, Self-portrait (1920).
Courtesy: American Federation of Arts.
Diane and Hunt Harris of Moline believe art is a critical part of a healthy community. “We often think about the critical need for support for health and human services, particularly right now,” Hunt said from his home office. “The arts are equally as important—think of all of the ways the arts have helped us to get through this year.”
The couple has made a $10,000 grant to the Figge Art Museum from their Harris Family Charitable Gift Fund at the Quad Cities Community Foundation to support the upcoming exhibition “For America: 200 Years of Painting from the National Academy of Design.” The collection features over 90 works created between 1810 and 2010 by some of the greatest American artists—from John Singer Sargent to Jaune Quick-to-See-Smith to Jane Freilicher.
The grant supports integrating new technology and virtual initiatives to bring the in-gallery experience of this major exhibition to audiences everywhere, including to teachers, students, and other members of the community who would prefer to participate from home due to COVID-19 or other obstacles.
“It’s all very much in the planning process still, and the Figge is doing wonderful work to figure out the best ways to bring the exhibition into homes and classrooms all across the Quad Cities,” Hunt said. “We see this as an opportunity to bring a wider community into the exhibit.”
Seeing opportunities and investing in them for the benefit of the community—and society—is something the Harris' have done through their philanthropy for decades. Both have been active on numerous nonprofit boards in the region. The couple uses various gifting options at the Community Foundation to invest in causes they know move the community forward in a positive and inclusive way.
"The grant Diane and Hunt made to 'For America' came at a critical time for the Figge,” said Michelle Hargrave, the Figge’s new executive director who arrived earlier this year. "Like art spaces across the world, we've seen a decline in earned revenue during the pandemic—revenue we are reliant on. The generosity of donors enables us to present world-class exhibitions, preserve our permanent collection, and keeping our lights on. Diane and Hunt's support will now also allow us to bring the Figge experience to people’s homes.”
She added that “gifts like the Harris’s enable us to serve our region in so many rewarding ways, no matter what COVID throws at us. Now more than ever, our community is looking for a safe way to learn, be inspired, have fun, connect, and find respite, and we are pleased to provide these transformative experiences with art at the museum and online.“
“Long ago, we asked ourselves how we can leave a legacy for the community that will adapt to the evolution of the community in the future?” said Hunt. “It was important to Diane and me that we trust the people we leave our legacy in the hands of to know the community and act in ways that support the region in the long-run. For us, that's the Community Foundation."
“For America” will be presented at the Figge from February 20 through May 16, 2021. The Figge is among many prominent, prestigious art museums in the United States showing the exhibition, including the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach, Florida, and the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California. For more information, visit https://figgeartmuseum.org/art/exhibitions/view/for-america-200-years-of-painting-from-the-national-academy-of-design/205.