Funding Research

Copies of the report may be obtained from the Alliance of Artists' Communities, 210 SE 50th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97215

The Alliance of Artists' Communities released American Creativity at Risk: Restoring Creativity as a Priority in Public Policy, Cultural Philanthropy, and Education. The report documents a symposium held in November, 1996 and attended by artists, educators, administrators, critics, and grantmakers.

May 29, 1998, 116 pages, Theater By The Blind (TBTB), 306 West 18th Street, New York, New York 10011, 212-243-4337, ashiotis[at]panix.com

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.
-William Henry Channing, 1810-1884

There are an abundance of theories — and even more clichés — about why the arts should be in young people's lives. However, academically rigorous research that demonstrates the power of the arts is scarce. This article summarizes a decade of research by a team of anthropologists in after-school programs identified by young people themselves as high quality. The researchers found common characteristics that made these programs successful, whether their focus was academic, sport, community service, or the arts. The balance of these characteristics differs among programs, though.

104 pages, October 2006. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 130 Humphrey School, 301 19th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55455. http://www.hhh.umn.edu

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2006, 104 pages. Museum Loan Network with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Office of the Arts, 265 Massachusetts Avenue, N52-401, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, 617-252-1888, loanet@mit.edu

2006, 280 pages, Fieldstone Alliance, 60 Plato Boulevard East, Suite 150, St. Paul, MN 55107, 651-556-4503, bandrews@FieldstoneAllicance.org.

2006, 74 pages. Foundation Center , 79 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003, 800-424-9836

As part of the Foundation Today Series, this report examines annual growth and development trends for foundations operating in the U.S. The report indicates that, while foundation giving and asset values continued to rise in 2005, they were still below the inflation-adjusted highs of 2000 and 2001.

2006, 277 pages. Routledge, 270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Operating outside governments and markets, able to take risks and accept failure, free to cross sectors and redefine professional boundaries

Governor's Commission on the Arts in Education: Findings and Recommendations
2006, 12 pages

Arts and Minds: Conversations about the Arts in Education
2006, 4 pages

Education Commission of the States, 700 Broadway, Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80203-3460, ecs@ecs.org