Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, has announced a $10 million endowment gift from the Alice L. Walton Foundation in support of its internship program.

The gift to the museum Walton established in 2005 will support efforts to add breadth and depth to the museum’s internship program, including diversifying recruitment efforts through partnerships with Spelman College in Atlanta and Fisk University in Nashville. The gift also will enable the museum to add an administrator focused solely on the internship program and its impact.

“Five years ago, we strengthened an already successful internship program to focus on hiring and nurturing leaders from diverse backgrounds. Today, we recognize there is still work to do,” said Walton, founder, board member, and chair emeritus of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. “I believe it’s essential for museums to build an inclusive culture, and in order to do so it’s imperative to educate and develop future arts leaders.”

(Photo credit: Ironside Photography)