The Baltimore Museum of Art announced it will receive more than $10 million from philanthropists Amy and Marc Meadows, marking the single largest gift in the institution's 110-year history. The donation comes from the Meadows Stoneridge Foundation and will be dedicated exclusively to arts education programs at the museum.
The couple, who are longtime supporters of the BMA, have established the Amy and Marc Meadows Education Endowment to gradually distribute funds toward specific educational initiatives until the entire gift, plus accumulated interest, has been allocated. Amy Meadows currently serves as one of the museum's Honorary Trustees, reflecting their deep commitment to the institution.
The endowment will fund several new initiatives designed to serve Baltimore-area school children and their families. One major component will provide transportation funding for organized public school field trips to the museum, removing a significant barrier that often prevents students from accessing cultural resources. Additionally, the program will introduce a two-year pass system that allows select students to bring family members, caregivers, or friends to visit the museum free of charge.
The donation will also expand the museum's popular "Free Family Sundays" art-making workshops, which currently serve families with children aged 6 to 9 years old. These drop-in programs provide hands-on creative experiences and will now be able to accommodate more participants thanks to the increased funding.
Beyond K-12 education, the endowment will create new opportunities for career exploration and community engagement. A new BMA internship program will be established for undergraduate students from nearby universities, providing valuable professional experience in museum operations and arts administration. The museum also plans to launch a public speaker series focused on educating the community about the institution's broader educational mission and impact.
"The phrase 'art patrons' does not begin to describe the passion, intellectual rigor, and peerless insights that Amy and Marc have shared with me over the many years of our friendship," said BMA Director Asma Naeem in the announcement. "With the Amy and Marc Meadows Education Endowment, the BMA will give Baltimore and our communities the resources they deserve: a thoughtful range of programs and opportunities for students, families and caregivers, and lifelong learners."
This major donation comes during an exciting period for the Baltimore Museum of Art. The institution is currently preparing to host Amy Sherald's "American Sublime" exhibition, which opens November 2nd. The show represents a homecoming for Sherald, a former Maryland Institute College of Arts student who spent her formative years in Baltimore, after she withdrew the exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery.
The historic gift underscores the museum's commitment to making arts education more accessible to Baltimore residents and demonstrates the transformative impact that dedicated philanthropists can have on cultural institutions. The endowment structure ensures that the Meadows' contribution will continue benefiting the community for years to come, supporting the museum's mission to serve as an educational resource for learners of all ages.
