HARVARD, Mass. – An exhibition opening in June at Fruitlands Museum in Harvard has received a $75,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation. Fruitlands, owned by The Trustees, will put the funds to use in support of Across Boundaries Across Barriers, a long-term installation of historic and contemporary Native American art.

The exhibition represents a new emphasis on the Native American collection at Fruitlands. The objects were first collected by Fruitlands’ founder Clara Endicott Sears in the early 20^th century. She presented the objects in an “Indian museum” that she opened on the property in 1928.

The new exhibition, organized by Associate Curator of Native American Art Tess Lukey (Aquinnah Wampanoag), is an opportunity to reckon with the colonialism and mythmaking that informed Sears’ efforts and to recontextualize the belongings from the perspectives of their communities of origin.

“This exhibition is just one piece of the puzzle in a much larger picture,” Lukey said. “My work is intended to be long lasting and impactful, not a singular shot but a look towards a more equitable future.”

Across Boundaries Across Barriers will feature objects within three gallery spaces whose interpretation is driven by indigenous knowledge and belief systems. Using the medicine wheel and its teachings, this exhibition is organized thematically touching on subthemes such as water, flora and fauna, light, and personal expression.

The exhibition, Lukey says, is part of a comprehensive effort to prioritize ethical stewardship of the collection, year-around community access, and educational opportunities.

The Trustees have several major goals for the exhibition, including to continue building relationships and collaborating with Indigenous communities, to advance and expand the narrative of Native cultures in New England through educational initiatives, and to facilitate and support access to Native collections for tribal communities and scholars.

The grant from the Henry Luce Foundation comes from its American Art program. A leader in arts funding since 1982, the Luce Foundation’s American Art Program advances the role of American art in realizing more vibrant and empathetic communities. Through support for innovative projects, it empowers institutions to celebrate creativity, elevate underrepresented voices, challenge accepted histories, and seek common ground.

The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to deepen knowledge and understanding in pursuit of a more democratic and just world. Established in 1936 by Henry R. Luce, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time, Inc., the Luce Foundation advances its mission by nurturing knowledge communities and institutions, fostering dialogue across divides, enriching public discourse, amplifying diverse voices, and investing in leadership development.

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Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 130 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the one of the oldest preservation and conservation organization, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our more than 120 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming millions of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org.