GIA Reader (2000-present)

Over the past few decades, arts advocates have toiled diligently to support and sustain the arts in a climate that has not always felt very welcoming. Culture wars, economic recessions, technological disruptions, accusations of elitism, and (most frightening, perhaps) the perceived menace of societal indifference have at times all conspired to create an impression for many of an arts ecology under perpetual threat.

Grantmakers in the Arts is committed to promoting racial equity in arts philanthropy and increasing support for African, Latinx, Arab, Asian, and Native American (ALAANA) artists, arts organizations, and communities. Our statement of purpose for this work, published in March 2015, comes after five years of internal discussions, workshops, articles, and forums led by a small learning group consisting of social justice funders and those concerned with social justice.

You are busy. So, to get to the point right away: If you don’t suffer from stage fright, is it worthwhile reading this book? That was my question when I read a chapter of Solovitch’s book in draft form early on. (We are acquaintances.)

The United States has reached an important inflexion point; we are, together, reimagining America. The time of transformational change ahead holds great possibility for artists, arts advocates, arts administrators, and allied practitioners that we serve — but only if we are able to step fully into our roles as active, equal partners in facilitating the healthy, vibrant, equitable communities of tomorrow.

Today anyone with an Internet connection can access thousands of courses online for free. With the rapid rise of these MOOCs (massive open online courses), the major disruption of our education system has been a hot topic of late. But democratizing education is not a new idea.

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   Introducing Community Innovation Labs (395 Mb)

The time has come for the arts to pay overdue attention to teaching artistry.