National recognition supports current and upcoming exhibitions while strengthening Holland’s arts community

Holland Museum is experiencing an upswing this summer, accompanied by good financial news. Executive Director Michelle Stempien announced this week that the museum ended its fiscal year on June 30, 2026, with a modest surplus.

“We are so grateful to the members, visitors, and donors who are keeping the Holland Museum a viable, sustainable resource in our community and helping us preserve Holland’s unique past,” said Stempien. “After some lean years in the early 2020s, the Holland Museum is proving its value by serving diverse groups of visitors, and those visits are making us a stronger institution,” she continued.

Another example of the positive upswing taking place at the museum is the announcement of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the first NEA award received by the Holland Museum.

“We are thrilled to receive funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, which will provide exhibition support for the America 250 projects the museum is undertaking this year,” added Stempien.

The $19,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts supports the Blue & White Invitational, on view at the museum through October 18, 2026, and the Anishinaabe Artists of the Great Lakes exhibition, which will open November 6, 2026. Anishinaabe Artists of the Great Lakes showcases the artistry and craftsmanship of contemporary Anishinaabek artists working across a variety of media.

“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support opportunities across the country for Americans to experience and participate in the arts,” said Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “As we celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary this year, it is a moment to recognize the important role the arts continue to play in our lives, communities, and heritage.”

The Holland Museum connects people to the stories, art, and history that have shaped the Holland community through engaging exhibitions, educational programming, and stewardship of its vast archives and collections. Through community programming, curriculum-based educational experiences, and walking tours, the museum serves learners of all ages and helps foster a deeper understanding of local heritage.

The Holland Museum also maintains and interprets two of the community’s most significant historic sites, the Settlers House and the Cappon House, preserving these landmark properties and sharing their stories with residents and visitors. For more information, visit hollandmuseum.org.

Established by Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. To learn more, visit arts.gov.