Grantmakers in the Arts Racial Equity Podcast Series

GIA is a community of practice with a shared vision of investing in arts and culture as a strategy for social change. Since 2008, GIA has been elevating racial equity as a critical issue affecting the field. To actualize this work within the sector, GIA published its Racial Equity in Arts Funding Statement of Purpose in 2015 and the journey has reaffirmed the many intersections at play as we leverage our dollars for the deepest impact.

As a part of our continued efforts, we are glad to introduce the Grantmakers in the Arts Racial Equity Podcast Series. In this series, we will discuss racial justice and racial equity with funders, lawyers, artists, arts administrators, and other key players in the funding ecosystem speaking about mentorship, immigration, criminal justice, radical imaginaries, and other topics to get a deeper understanding of how we can all be agents of change.

We hope you will join us, and be sure to stay tuned for future podcasts!

Centering Racial Equity in Arts Funding

To kick us off, Centering Racial Equity in Arts Funding will have GIA President & CEO Eddie Torres discussing why GIA values and centers racial equity via a stroll through the history of arts funding, as well as a review of ways that GIA is collaborating with others to continue centering racial equity in concrete ways both within the GIA and externally, and how GIA will continue this creative collaboration in order to continue the work across sectors.

Supporting Immigrant Artists and Communities

The 2020 Grantmakers in the Arts Racial Equity Podcast Series continues! In Supporting Immigrant Artists and Border Communities, we hear from Adriana Rios, director of programs, National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures, and Luisa Martinez, socially-engaged artist, Artivistas in Residencia, Otros Dreams en Acción. They will discuss supporting immigrant artists and border communities.

Uplifting the Black Arts Community

In 21st century philanthropy we face the unfortunate truth that only 4% of cultural philanthropy goes to organizations of color. However, leaders in the field are redefining grantmaking and offering strategic ways to sustain and uplift ALAANA communities. Join us for a two-part podcast beginning with Frameworks for Black Communities and Other Communities of Color where we will hear from ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities’ Anthony Simmons, manager of Racial Equity in Grantmaking Program; and Edward Jones, vice president of Programs. Then, in Creating Access for Grantees, hear from DéLana R.A. Dameron, chief strategist at Red Olive Consulting and founder of the Black Art Futures Fund on how they are supporting ALAANA communities.

Radical Imaginaries in Arts Funding

As we consider the present state of arts and culture philanthropy, we are at critical juncture and have an opportunity to build towards the “radical” new normal that underestimated communities deserve. In order to mobilize in this direction, it is necessary to think differently about the future, visualize it, and put it these ideas into action. As a result of COVID-19, we see the possibilities of large shifts in grantmaking practice and the way we lead and uphold philanthropic institutions. Join us for two podcasts: True Commitment to Radical Imagination, where we hear from Walidah Imarisha, writer, educator, poet and Lisa Yancey, entrepreneurial strategist and president, Yancey Consulting; and Radical Practice: Turning over power in foundations, with Denise Brown, executive director, Leeway Foundation and A. Sparks, executive director, The Masto Foundation, on how they are rethinking power, centering communities, and putting theory into practice.

Criminal Justice, Policing, and Arts Funding

Philanthropic support for arts and culture has historically been limited to performance and visual arts. In more recent years, the definition of arts and culture has expanded, and the field has taken a more strategic approach to confront systemic injustices and uplift communities. In this subseries, we look at the criminal justice system, youth, and how the philanthropic sector is supporting narrative shift, advocacy, and issues of access in order to drive our nation towards racial justice. Join us for two podcasts: Strategic Communication for Justice, featuring Aisha Edwards, a program officer with Criminal Justice Team, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Lauren Pabst, a senior program officer with the Journalism and Media Team, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; and The Role of The Arts in Criminal Justice and Policing, featuring Deborah Fisher, executive director, A Blade of Grass; and Shaun Leonardo, American artist and performer.