Press Release

Tucson, AZ – Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA) has been approved for a $30,000 Art Works grant to support the solo exhibition Brad Kahlhamer: 11:59 to Tucson and an accompanying catalogue, artist residency and interdisciplinary public programs. The exhibition will open in October 2021 and run through February 2022.  

Overall, the National Endowment for the Arts has approved 1,187 grants totaling $27.3 million in the first round of fiscal year 2020 funding to support arts projects in every state in the nation, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.   

The Art Works funding category supports projects that focus on public engagement with, and access to, various forms of excellent art across the nation; the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence; learning in the arts at all stages of life; and the integration of the arts into the fabric of community life. 

“The arts are at the heart of our communities, connecting people through shared experiences and artistic expression,” said Arts Endowment chairman Mary Anne Carter. “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support projects like Brad Kahlhamer: 11:59 to Tucson.” 

Brad Kahlhamer: 11:59 to Tucson aims to expand discourse about Native American art and identity through the notion of “tribal ambiguity” with a focus on non-traditional forms of expression. As an adopted child of unknown tribal origin, Kahlhamer (b. 1956) developed an ongoing curiosity and desire to explore his cultural roots. His artistic journey addresses a displaced heritage and the ambiguity it creates, resulting in works that inspire critical dialogue, creativity and cultural exchanges for audiences of all ages.  

“Tucson-born Kahlhamer is an important contemporary artist whose work is part of the national dialogue about identity, representation and authenticity,” said TMA CEO Jeremy Mikolajczak. “A ‘coming home’ of sorts for the artist, this exhibition and project is curated by TMA Chief Curator Dr. Julie Sasse, and will enable TMA to engage in the greater conversation about personal histories and multi-ethnic explorations. This award supports our ability to connect with youth audiences and diverse communities through Kahlhamer’s fascinating visual and audio work while promoting cultural understanding through art.”

About the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block 

The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block’s mission is Connecting Art to Life. The museum was founded in 1924 and is located in the El Presidio Historic District of downtown Tucson. It is Southern Arizona’s premier presenter of fine art and art education programs.  

The museum features permanent and traveling exhibitions of Modern and Contemporary, Native American, American West, Latin American, pre-Columbian, European and Asian art. The 74,000-square-foot museum offers guided tours and education programs. The museum’s historic block of 19th and 20th-century adobe and Mission Revival-style buildings, encompassing a four-acre city block, includes the highly acclaimed museum restaurant Café a la C’Art, the Museum Store and additional exhibition spaces.  

TMA is a private 501(c)(3) charitable arts and education organization. For additional information visit TucsonMuseumofArt.org or call (520) 624-2333.