The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) has received a $10 million gift from the Stoneridge Foundation, founded by philanthropists Amy and Marc Meadows, to support its art education department. This is the largest single donation in the museum's history. The funds will expand educational initiatives including transportation for school visits, free family activities, a two-year pass system for students, teaching apprenticeships for undergraduates from nearby universities like the Maryland Institute College of Art, and new educator positions. The gift also supports a series of events exploring museums as civic organizations and fostering diversity in the field.
This gift matters because it signals a shift in how museums prioritize education—not as an ancillary activity but as central to their civic mission, according to BMA director Asma Naeem. By embedding education into the museum's core operations, the BMA positions itself as an educational hub addressing critical issues like funding, community engagement, and workforce development in the arts. The donation also highlights the role of philanthropy in amplifying museums' long-standing civic role, particularly in underserved communities like Baltimore, and sets a model for how art institutions can bridge theory with practical opportunities for students.