GIA News's Blog

(7-2-10) A June 2010 report on dramatic declines in arts education funding in New York public schools prompted a July 1 story in The NY Daily News that begins: "It is not a pretty picture."

(7-2-10) Responding to a recent trend in popular vote-decided, corporate giving campaigns, Chris Jones (Chicago Tribune) argues against taking decision-making out of the hands of grant program officers and makes a case for the unfavorable effect of vote programs on the organizations vying for support. He writes:

(7-1-10) Last week, the U.S. Departments of Transportation (DOT) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $175 million in available "sustainable communities" grants. Arts organizations are eligible to partner with state and local governments, as well as planning, philanthropic, and nonprofit organizations, to develop consortia grant proposals.

(7-1-10) Today, the Guardian published a series of interviews with artists, arts administrators, and former BP CEO John Browne on the now thorny issue of BP's arts sponsorships: "The Tate is under fire for taking BP sponsorship money. Does corporate cash damage the arts—or is it a necessary compromise? We asked leading cultural figures their view." Read the rainbow of responses here.

(6-30-2010) From South Carolina Arts Commission website:

The (South Carolina state) Senate has overridden veto 105, saving $250,000 in grant funds for arts education and arts organizations. A list of grant awards will be posted on our website by mid-July. On behalf of the South Carolina Arts Commission board and staff, thank you for your overwhelming efforts in contacting your legislators to urge their support for arts funding. Be sure to thank your legislators for their work on your behalf.

(6-29-10) In a story for The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Brennen Jensen profiles the Atlanta Arts Recovery Initiative, a three-year, $25-million grantmaking program organized by the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund with support from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

(6-29-10) Trading Power—a new publication produced jointly by the Council on Foundations, 21/64, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, and Resource Generation—examines themes of multigenerational leadership challenges in today's philanthropy, including the perceived lack of leadership opportunities for the next generation; what each generation can learn from the others while working together; and why and how to engage a new generation of philanthropic leaders.

(6-29-10) New York Times

"Mr. Kaiser attributes his multiple activities on several platforms — including the book, a Huffington Post blog as well as the road tour — not to any effort at self-promotion but simply to a full-octane passion for arts management.

“I’m trying to build a respect for the field,” he said in a black town car between West Hartford and New Haven."

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(6-25-10) August 6 is the deadline for small to mid-sized California arts organizations to submit proposals for project grants from the James Irvine Foundation's Creative Connections Fund.

The Creative Connections Fund supports the expansion of diverse, relevant arts and cultural offerings in local communities across California. The fund targets small and midsize arts organizations and offers project grants of up to $50,000, over a maximum of two years, through an open, competitive review process...

(6-25-10) Measures to boost the performance of principals, superintendents and other education leaders were enacted in at least 23 states during the 2009 legislative season, according to the report, Strong Leaders Strong Schools: 2009 School Leadership Laws, an annual look at how state lawmakers are responding to the need for stronger school leaders. One important spur to the 43 new laws came from the federal government’s Race to the Top program, which established a contest among states for grants from a $4.35 billion fund for improving education.