(Charlotte, N.C.) – The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art has received a grant totaling $54,600 in support of the museum’s education programs and community outreach.

The grant from the Women’s Impact Fund (WIF) will allow the museum to expand its public school art education program, increase the number of participants in a community outreach program for incarcerated youth and adults, and launch a special program for individuals with low or no sight. Half of the grant total will be used by the museum in fiscal year 2015 with the second half to be used in fiscal year 2016.

“We are honored to receive such generous support from the Women's Impact Fund,” said Bechtler President and CEO John Boyer. “The Bechtler’s community outreach efforts have grown rapidly as the needs of our various constituencies are great. The museum will now be able to expand and enhance its efforts in serving those who are not traditionally associated with art museum programs but are equal partners in our community's stewardship of this inspiring collection.”

The Women’s Impact Fund awards grants annually in five categories to Charlotte-based projects. Through a competitive application process (which generated more than 100 entries in 2014), grant recipients are evaluated in an extensive member-led review process followed by a general membership vote.

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art was the runner-up for WIF’s 2014 arts and culture grant, which was originally awarded to the Charlotte Children’s Choir. After the Children’s Choir declined the grant because of unexpected staff changes, it was then awarded to the Bechtler.

Bechtler Education Programs

-- Through its partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art provides teaching artists to elementary and high schools to enhance the visual arts curriculum provided by the public schools. The teaching artists provide intensive art-focused learning experiences for students.

--The Bechtler currently partners with three organizations through its community outreach efforts: Mecklenburg Jail North; Mecklenburg Jail Central; and InReach, a Charlotte-based nonprofit that provides services to children and adults with developmental and other disabilities. The goal of the museum’s community outreach is to introduce visual art to participants as a means of creative expression and a vehicle for self-discovery.

--The Bechtler strives to make its collection accessible to as many people as possible. During fiscal year 2015, the museum will research and pilot a program tailored to individuals with low to no vision.

About Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is dedicated to the exhibition of mid-20^th-century modern art. It is named after the family of Andreas Bechtler who assembled and inherited a collection created by seminal figures in modernism. The museum is located at Levine Center for the Arts, 420 South Tryon Street, Charlotte. Operating hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. For museum details visit bechtler.org.

About Women’s Impact Fund

Since 2003, the Women’s Impact Fund has amplified the significant role women play in philanthropy. The mission is to maximize women's leadership in philanthropy by engaging and educating members, increasing charitable contributions and strengthening communities through the impact of collective giving. The organization has emerged as one of the largest women’s collective giving groups in the country and continues to create powerful change in Mecklenburg County. To date, the Women’s Impact Fund has made 49 grants totaling more than $3.7 million. For more information, visit womensimpactfund.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Pam Davis, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art Director of Communications and Marketing, pam.davis@bechtler.org, office: 704.353.9204 / mobile 704.975.2363