Dear Friends of the HRM,

I am elated to announce good news! The Hudson River Museum has been selected as an inaugural winner of the Bridgemaker Prize from Art Bridges, founded by philanthropist Alice Walton. This prestigious award recognizes Art Bridges museum partners whose projects have reimagined museum practices, elevated diverse storytelling, and deepened community connections through innovative, interdisciplinary programs.

The Hudson River Museum is one of three winners alongside the Peoria Riverfront Museum and Spelman College Museum of Fine Art. Each winner will receive a $50,000 award to support future projects in alignment with Art Bridges’ mission. In addition to the monetary prize, recipients will have the opportunity to spotlight their work on Art Bridges’ digital platforms, expanding their reach and inspiring museums nationwide to push boundaries, foster dialogue, and champion the transformative power of art. Hear directly from Alice Walton in this video:

Through the generosity of Art Bridges, the HRM has successfully partnered with the foundation to bring forth an astounding 37 total projects over seven years. Projects have comprised Access for All programming, several partner loans, and collaborations with Art Bridges’ Learning & Engagement team. Art and Identity inaugurated the partnership, bringing outstanding figurative works from the Art Bridges Collection to the museum to explore artistic depictions of identity across centuries. The partnership was further strengthened by the museum’s debut of Free First Fridays, which activates the HRM with dynamic performances, hands-on art making, and immersive experiences every month. Most recently, the HRM has collaborated with Art Bridges to organize Smoke in Our Hair: Native Memory and Unsettled Time. This groundbreaking and critically acclaimed exhibition, on view through August 31 before touring the United States, explores memory and time through works by twenty-two contemporary Native and Indigenous artists.

As we receive this great honor, I thank you for being an integral part of our community and for inspiring us to strive for even greater heights and access for all. The Hudson River Museum proudly shares this Bridgemaker Prize with all of you.

In gratitude,

Masha Turchinsky
Director & CEO