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The Pew Research Center’s Report on Arts and Technology
Posted on February 8, 2013 by Steve

From Andre Bouchard at Technology in the Arts:

The Pew Research Center recently did a survey and report about how various arts organizations use technology including the internet, social media, and mobile technology. The report confirms that the arts are adapting to the overwhelming saturation of technology, particularly the internet and social media, and are venturing into deeper levels of engagement such as blogs, podcasts, and educational content.
Fusing Arts, Culture and Social Change at 15 Months
Posted on February 3, 2013 by Steve

Talia Gibas reexamines the NCRP report “Fusing Arts, Culture and Social Change” for the Createquity blog. Discussion naturally ensues.

“Fusing” contains a number of such arguments – about the role of philanthropy and of art in society – that are more values-driven than data-driven. In many cases those values align with my own. I believe, for example, that the arts provide concrete social benefit beyond simple aesthetic pleasure. I believe that all members of our society do not have equal access to that benefit, and that is a problem the private funding community can and should address. “Fusing” does a very good job of affirming those beliefs for me, both by calling attention to organizations doing some very compelling work with arts and social change, and by raising important questions about the extent to which entrenched inequities in early arts philanthropy continue to the present day.
New Guide Provides Arts Ed Information for Washington State Schools
Posted on February 2, 2013 by Steve

A new guide aims to provide information, tips, best practices, and tools for arts education in the state of Washington. smARTS for Students was developed through a partnership of ArtsEd Washington, a nonprofit organization dedicated to systemic change in arts education, and the Washinton State PTA.

Report: Current Approach To Strategic Philanthropy Is Limiting
Posted on January 31, 2013 by Steve

From The NonProfit Times:

The current top-down approach to strategic philanthropy limits its overall effectiveness, leading to a widening disparity between the amount of money invested in communities and what is actually being accomplished. That was the conclusion of a new study by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), which pushed for a greater emphasis on social justice philanthropy.

The report, “Real Results: Why Strategic Philanthropy is Social Justice Philanthropy,” was written by Niki Jagpal, NCRP’s research and policy director, and Kevin Laskowski, the organization’s senior research and policy associate. The two authors argued that today’s strategic philanthropy practiced by nonprofits favors short-term metrics and is largely disconnected from the communities these organizations serve.

FAIC Cultural Recovery Center Accepting Damaged Works
Posted on January 29, 2013 by Steve

The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC) announced in late December the opening of the Cultural Recovery Center (CRC) in Brooklyn, New York. The CRC is offering space and to help owners of artworks damaged as a result of Superstorm Sandy. The CRC will offer volunteer assistance and work space to museums, libraries, archives, historic sites, galleries, collectors, and artists. The goal is not to provide free conservation treatment, but to provide guidance and assistance in the cleaning and stabilization of art and cultural materials.

Bill seeks to eliminate funding for Oklahoma Arts Council
Posted on January 27, 2013 by Steve

From Christopher Knight at the Los Angeles Times:

The arts in Oklahoma generate about $29 million in annual tax revenue for state coffers, according to a 2010 study by Americans for the Arts. So what does 23-year-old State Representative Josh Cockroft (R-Tecumseh) want to do? Eliminate the $4-million annual state subsidy to the Oklahoma Arts Council.
Study Finds Nonprofits Poor at Fundraising
Posted on January 24, 2013 by Steve

From Jillian Steinhauer at Hyperallergic:

Nonprofits across the US are stuck in a cycle that hinders their ability to raise money, a new report says. Commissioned by the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund and conducted by CompassPoint, the study examines fundraising issues at nonprofits nationwide, and the results aren’t pretty. The authors of the report, which is titled “UnderDeveloped: A National Study of Challenges Facing Nonprofit Fundraising,” conducted their research by interviewing 2,700 nonprofit executive directors and development directors.
Egypt’s art world rallies to defend freedom of expression
Posted on January 24, 2013 by Steve

From Anny Shaw for The Art Newspaper:

Artists, curators, critics and academics have united against president Mohamed Morsi and his controversial charter, which they say threatens freedom of expression and creativity. Resistance is increasing in other ways too—through mass protests, works of art in the street, open letters and artists’ statements. More demonstrations calling for a consensual constitution are expected on 25 January, the second anniversary of the revolution that swept through Egypt.
Experiences vs. Things, or Why the Emotional Rewards of Pro-Social Spending Outshine Those of Self-Interest
Posted on January 20, 2013 by Steve

From Maria Popova at Brain Pickings:

“Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has the more one wants,” Ben Franklin is often (perhaps mis-)quoted as having proclaimed. In asking what you would do if money were no object, Alan Watts echoed Franklin as he advocated for liberating creative purpose from money-work. But what does science say? Count on AsapSCIENCE to illustrate the answer:
President Obama Awards Dr. Jan Vilcek the National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Posted on January 17, 2013 by Steve

NYU Langone Medical Center announced last week that President Barack Obama named Jan Vilcek, MD, PhD, professor of microbiology at NYU Langone Medical Center, a recipient of the prestigious National Medal of Technology and Innovation. This year 11 individuals received this medal, the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government upon scientists, engineers, and inventors. He will receive his award from President Obama at a White House ceremony later this year.