Arts Funders Respond

On June 14, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) will host a webinar highlighting what national grantmakers can learn from ALAANA-led social movements and philanthropic institutions in the South: [The South has] a vibrant history of successful movements for racial and social justice, yet grassroots Southern leaders are often overlooked by philanthropy and lack … Continue reading NCRP to Present Webinar on ALAANA-led Philanthropy in the South →

From the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF): WESTAF has expanded its advocacy work on behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts. Recently, three contractors were hired to focus exclusively on this project and to work closely with our regional network of advocates. WESTAF has also created an NEA Advocacy center with the latest updates … Continue reading WESTAF Boosts Advocacy Efforts to Support NEA →

From Carolinia A. Miranda, writing for the Los Angeles Times: After President Trump threatened to eliminate the [National Endowment for the Arts], Congress approved a spending bill that not only funds the NEA for another year, but increased its $148 million annual budget by nearly $2 million. Lost in much of the acrimonious debate over … Continue reading Could $499,000 in Grants That Help Our Soldiers Be One Reason Congress Spared the NEA? →

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies has released an updated and expanded edition of Why Should Government Support the Arts? its policy brief detailing the economic, health, educational, civic, community and cultural benefits of public arts funding. In clear language — and with numerous links to fresh research — the paper debunks myths and … Continue reading NASAA Updates Policy Brief on Government Support of the Arts →

Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch issued a statement following the signing of the federal budget agreement for fiscal year 2017. “This is also a tremendous example of how grassroots arts advocacy efforts proved effective with sending thousands of letters, emails, phone calls, personal visits, op-eds, news articles, targeted advertising, and … Continue reading Americans for the Arts Statement on Bipartisan Budget Agreement →

Congress has passed, and President Trump has signed into law, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, which funds the federal government through the end of the current fiscal year. Included in the spending bill is increased funding for the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities, an additional $2 million more than the 2016 budget for … Continue reading Trump Signs FY2017 Spending Bill, Includes Additional NEA and NEH Funding →

A recent article in Relix magazine outlines why the Affordable Care Act is important to the lives and livelihoods of musicians. “Most musicians rely on the ACA. Repealing it would affect everyone around me,” says Jon Dindas, producer of events such as Christmas Jam and Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival. “These musicians are not covered under … Continue reading Musicians Discuss the Importance of the Affordable Care Act →

In a recent letter address to the field of philanthropy, President & CEO Sharon Alpert of The Nathan Cummings Foundation writes about how the foundation is adapting its practices to serve grantees on the “front lines” of injustice: Our board was clear that this was no time for business as usual.  Gathered around our board table, … Continue reading Nathan Cummings Foundation Increases Grantmaking, Plans Policy Changes to Support Grantees on the ‘Front Lines’ →

In an op-ed in Nashville Arts Magazine, Jennifer Cole, executive director of Metro Nashville Arts Commission, addresses questions and debunks some of the myths about federal arts funding such as: “The arts are only for ‘certain people’ and others shouldn’t subsidize programs for the wealthy.” “If artists can’t make it as a business, why should … Continue reading Op-ed: Jennifer Cole on Why We Need the NEA →

The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) conducted a survey of foundation leaders about how they are reacting to the new administration, and the degree to which they are making changes as a result. Based on survey responses from 162 CEOs of US independent and community foundations making at least $5 million in grants annually, CEP has … Continue reading Survey: Foundations Respond to a New Political Context →