Grantmakers in the Arts

(10-8-10) The Web Conference “Arts Funding Update: New Trends and Assumptions” will take place today, Friday, October 8, at 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT. Three presenters will discuss the latest research in the field of arts funding: Steven Lawrence, director of research, Foundation Center, Holly Sidford, president, Helicon Collaborative, and Angela Han, director of research, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.

(10-6-10) The NASAA awards program showcases best practices of state arts agencies and regional arts organizations, recognizes exemplary leadership, and demonstrates how government creatively, effectively and efficiently serves the public through the arts.

This year's recipients are recognized for their outstanding leadership and contributions to the field. All three awards will be presented October 15 at Assembly 2010 in Austin, Texas:

(10-5-10) The Sundance Institute's new initiative Film Forward is a curated group of five American and five international independent films selected for screening at select U.S. venues and venues around the world, including American embassies.

(10-5-10) The National Science Foundation, a federal agency, make a substantial grant to the arts.

(9-29-10) "Reports of the nonprofit sector’s death have been greatly exaggerated. So, too, have assumptions about for-profits’ intrinsic efficiency (and amorality). Along with these has come a flurry of activity designed to make for-profits look more like nonprofits and vice versa."

Read more.

This weekend I had the great privilege to talk with current and past board members and staff of Artist Trust, an organization that supports individual artists in Washington. Led by Fidelma McGinn, this is one of several organizations in the country running stellar grantmaking and service programs for artists. In addition to a great group of people, they met in Snohomish, WA, a small town surrounded by mountains with a river running through it.

(9-28-10) Theater Communications Group (TCG) announced the third annual Free Night of Theater New York City, which will take place at nearly 100 participating Off-Broadway, Off Off Broadway and Independent Theaters in all five boroughs during the entire month of October 2010. Introduced by TCG as a three-city pilot-program in 2005 and to New York City in 2008, Free Night of Theater is now presented in more than 23 states.

(9-28-10) A large number of artists among this year's fellowship recipients. See the complete list.