GIA Blog

GIA Wrap Up
Posted on October 13, 2011 by Steve

Barry Hessenius' final blog for the GIA 2011conference.

My take-away from this conference is that the arts funder’s legacy of acting pretty much alone is no longer thought to be the preferred way to approach goals, and certainly not a viable way to deal with the “velocity of change” that was the theme of the gathering. I think the potential of this sleeping giant may in the not too distant future surprise even themselves.
GIA Conference D3: Final Thoughts (Arts Education IS Social Justice)
Posted on October 13, 2011 by Steve

Richard Kessler's final blog post of the GIA 2011 conference:

While this will be my final post as one of the three official conference bloggers, I have no doubt that so very much of what I encountered idea-wise will infiltrate not only my blogging on Dewey21C, but also my work for quite some time. That statement should tell you a lot about how I experienced the three days.
GIA Conference D3: Final Thoughts (Arts Education IS Social Justice)
Posted on October 13, 2011 by Richard Kessler

GIA Conference D3/Wrap Up While this will be my final post as one of the three official conference bloggers, I have no doubt that so very much of what I encountered idea-wise will infiltrate not only my blogging on Dewey21C, … Continue reading →

GIA Wrap Up
Posted on October 13, 2011 by Barry Hessenius

Good morning. “And the beat goes on…………………………” GIA – Day 3: The final day at any arts convention is usually a little anti-climatic.  People are checking out in the morning, some off for early flights; others are staying over to … Continue reading →

GIA Conference D2: Is Darwin in The House?
Posted on October 12, 2011 by Steve

Richard Kessler gives his high points on Tuesday at the San Francisco conference:

Mason Bates represents change in a vitally important way. He is, in so many respects, representative of the modern American composer. He’s hip, smart, also a DJ, draws upon a palatte that is not limited, by a long shot, by what most consider to be “classical” music, and here’s the best part, he’s one of two composers in residence with the orchestra that I consider to be among the most tradition bound. It’s the orchestra considered by many to be the standard bearer of quality and tradition. Not known for relationships with the American experimentalists nor great shape shifters of the 20th and 21st centuries, in my mind, the appointment of Mason Bates should be enough for people to rethink their long held opinions of what canonical organizations are and aren’t. Oh, and yes, by the way, he can compose.
Day 2 Report from Barry Hessenius
Posted on October 12, 2011 by Steve

Barry checks in from San Francisco on Tuesday:

(Tuesday) started out with a continental breakfast that included scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and croissants—a definite step up from the usual hotel continental fare—served in the Fairmont’s Venetian Room—once a high end night club in San Francisco where Ella Fitzgerald, Pearl Bailey (look her up all you Millennials out there—she was the real deal) and Tony Bennet held court.
GIA Conference D2: Is Darwin in The House?
Posted on October 12, 2011 by Richard Kessler

GIA Conference D2: 4:30 am Pacific Time. Considering the unfortunate length of my Day One entry yesterday, I thought it might be a good idea to post something today a bit more concise. So, let’s focus on two sessions. Enabling … Continue reading →

GIA – Day 2
Posted on October 12, 2011 by Barry Hessenius

Good morning. “And the beat goes on……………………….” GIA in San Francisco, Tuesday: Day 2 This day started out with a continental breakfast that included scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and croissants — a definite step up from the usual hotel continental … Continue reading →

Richard Kessler Blogs on Conference Day 1
Posted on October 11, 2011 by Steve

Richard Kessler, one of three official bloggers for the GIA conference (which is happening now in San Francisco) has posted his Day 1 report:

The opening plenary featured Marc Bamuthi Joseph, sporting one heck of a stingy brim fedora.
“I am a grantmaker, I give and receive, I sustain culture, I am an artist, I give and receive, I sustain culture.”

Getting quickly to a sweeping review of the history of the NEA, Marc got to his point, a good way to set the tone for the entire conference and underscore the theme: Embracing the Velocity of Change.

NCRP Releases Report on High Impact Funding Strategies for the Arts
Posted on October 11, 2011 by Steve

The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy has released the report Fusing Arts, Culture and Social Change, written by Holly Sidford of Helicon Collaborative and a report in which Grantmakers in the Arts served an advisory role.

From the NCRP website:

Fusing Arts, Culture and Social Change outlines compelling demographic, aesthetic and economic reasons for foundations to rethink their grantmaking practices to stay current with changes in the cultural sector and to continue to be relevant to the evolving needs of our communities. Regardless of its history or primary philanthropic focus, every foundation investing in the arts can make fairness and equity core principles of its grantmaking. It can do so by intentionally prioritizing underserved communities in its philanthropy and by investing substantially in community organizing and civic engagement work in the arts and culture sector. By doing so, arts funders—individually and collectively—can make meaningful contributions toward a more inclusive and dynamic cultural sector, and a fairer, more democratic world.