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George Gund Foundation Announces Passing of George Gund III
Posted on January 16, 2013 by Steve

Geoffrey Gund, president of the board of trustees, made the following statement on behalf of The George Gund Foundation on the passing of George Gund III.

The deep sadness that my family feels at the passing of my brother George is shared by the entire extended family of The George Gund Foundation and, I am sure, by those who knew George through the Foundation’s work. He served faithfully and with honor as a trustee of the Foundation for 44 years, carrying out the wishes of our father, his namesake, to contribute to human well-being and the progress of society.
Rocco Landesman Sends Postcard from Retirement
Posted on January 16, 2013 by Steve

From Rocco Landesman for ArtWorks:

I’ve been officially retired now for 27 days, which seems like as good a time as any to reflect on my time at the NEA. I felt from the outset that if you were ever going to do public service, if you didn’t do it now in this administration, when you would ever do it? It was by chance, completely out of left field that the opportunity came up. Margo Lion—who was the chairman of the President’s Advisement Committee during the campaign—after the 2008 election came in and said, “Can you think of someone who’d be a really good NEA chair?” I put my hand up and said, “I’ll do it!” It struck me that this would be a real chance to do something different than I had ever done in my life. It would be an opportunity to meet new people and people who are very dedicated to making the country a better place. And that’s exactly what happened.
AFTA Taps Clayton Lord for VP Position
Posted on January 15, 2013 by Steve

Americans for the Arts has named Clayton Lord as its new Vice President of Local Arts Advancement. Lord will be responsible for developing and executing all Americans for the Arts programs and services that strengthen and validate local arts agencies and the many other individuals and organizations that advance arts, culture and artists at the local level. Previously, Lord served as Director of Communications and Audience Development for Theatre Bay Area in San Francisco, one of the largest regional arts service organizations in the United States.

NFF Holds 2013 “State of the Sector” Survey
Posted on January 15, 2013 by Steve

Nonprofit Finance Fund is conducting its fifth annual nationwide survey examining the current state of the nonprofit sector. The survey collects data on important financial and management issues facing the nonprofit sector and takes around 10 minutes to fill out. NFF will analyze the data it receives and share the results in late March.

What is “advocacy”?
Posted on January 14, 2013 by Steve

From Steven E. Mayer for Just Philanthropy:

The practice of advocacy has recently gained legitimacy and momentum as a strategy for promoting social change. Wikipedia recognizes advocacy as “a political process by an individual or group which aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions.” I would add that influencing private policy, such as used to govern private institutions and even community and family institutions, counts as well.
Canadians back government support for arts in Heritage poll
Posted on January 14, 2013 by Steve

An overwhelming majority of Canadians believe arts and culture is worthy of government support, according to the results of a poll commissioned by Canadian Heritage.

Creative Capital Announces 2013 Grantees in Emerging Fields, Literature and Performing Arts
Posted on January 11, 2013 by Steve

On January 10, Creative Capital announced its 2013 project grants in the categories of Emerging Fields, Literature and the Performing Arts, representing a total of 46 funded projects by 66 artists hailing from 17 states and Puerto Rico. The 2013 grantees — representing a total of 46 funded projects by 66 artists hailing from 17 states and Puerto Rico — were selected through an open-call, three-phase application process from a pool of more than 2,700 applicants.

Big Banks Are Too Stingy, Says Watchdog
Posted on January 9, 2013 by Steve

From Caroline Preston for The Chronicle of Philanthropy:

While the nation’s largest banks have used their charity to deflect criticism in the wake of the financial crisis, their actual philanthropic track record is “lackluster,” according to a new report from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.
MOT Founder Receives Kresge Eminent Artist Honor
Posted on January 9, 2013 by Steve

From Michael H. Hodges for the Detroit News:

David DiChiera, founder and general director of the Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit, has been named the 2013 Kresge Eminent Artist, Troy-based Kresge Foundation announced today. The award, which comes with $50,000, cites DiChiera's achievement in bringing opera back to the city, making it accessible to new audiences and creating the Detroit Opera House from an abandoned building just off Grand Circus Park.
Let's make arts cuts today mean stronger theatre tomorrow
Posted on January 9, 2013 by Steve

From Lyn Gardner for The Guardian UK:

Yes, it's going to be challenging. But with a properly orchestrated campaign of lobbying it's not too late to get the government and hard-pressed local authorities to understand the value of the arts. Wheeling out industry bigwigs days or weeks before the axe is about to fall is far too late; we need to mobilise audiences to speak for and with the arts on a regular basis.