October 12, 2016

Forerunner: Behind an Early Prize Honoring "Artist-Activists"

October 12, 2016/ Mike Scutari

Long before the "artist as activist" was the cool kid on the philanthropy block, there was the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize. Launched it 1994, the $300,000 award goes to artists who "contribute to social change."

October 12, 2016

Checking In: A Major Public Art Funder Provides a Compelling Progress Report

October 12, 2016/ Mike Scutari

Bloomberg Philanthropies releases four short films showing how its Public Art Challenge winners are increasing access to the arts. It's "must-see" video for organizations intrigued by the promise of public art.

October 11, 2016

As Creative Placemaking Continues to Grow, New Help for Practitioners to Get it Right

October 11, 2016/ Mike Scutari

Creative placemaking, supported by a diverse set of funders, is much harder in practice than in theory. Which is why these heavy hitters are partnering to create more know-how to drive positive outcomes.

September 24, 2016

It's Been Two Years Since Wallace Went All-In On Engagement. Where Do Things Stand?

September 24, 2016/ Mike Scutari

Wallace's Building Audiences for Sustainability findings have yet to be published. But we have a suspicion they may resemble Wallace Excellence Award winners, a similar initiative that concluded two years ago.

September 24, 2016

Untapped Potential: How Can Organizations Reach More Hispanic Donors?

September 24, 2016/ Mike Scutari

With the U.S. Hispanic population projected to grow to 119 million by 2060, organizations realize they need to engage this fast-growing demographic. We dig into case study from majority-Hispanic San Antonio.

September 22, 2016

Dept. of Good News: Unrestricted Donations Are Rising in the Arts Space. But Why?

September 22, 2016/ Mike Scutari

New research suggest that growth in unrestricted contributed revenue slightly outpaced growth in expenses across the arts philanthropy sector. What explains donors' increased willingness to relinquish control?

September 15, 2016

Alaska Dreamin': Meet the Rasmuson Foundation and its Artist Residencies

September 15, 2016/ Mike Scutari

Thanks to the Rasumson Foundation, cooped-up Alaskan artists can enjoy a residency in the Lower 48, while their southern brethren get to unwind in the Last Frontier. What's not to love?

September 15, 2016

When Funders Pivot Towards Combating Inequality, Where Do The Arts Fit In?

September 15, 2016/ Mike Scutari

As more big foundations get focused on equity and more emerging donors fixate on dire problems, is arts funding heading for new trouble? For answers, we turn to California.

September 14, 2016

The Secret to Successful Creative Placemaking? Keep It Inclusive

September 14, 2016/ Mike Scutari

How can artists and organization ensure they're not viewed by neighborhood residents as interlopers? For an answer we turn to lessons learned from a Knight Cities Challenge winner.

September 13, 2016

Dept. Of Confusing Data: If You Build It, They Will Come (But Donations Will Drop)

September 13, 2016/ Mike Scutari

Research suggests that organizations that bring in hordes of attendees are rewarded by fewer donor dollars. Donors, the theory goes, figure the organization doesn't need the money. What's really going on here?

August 24, 2016

Snowball Effect: How a Local Gift "Nudged" a Donor Towards Arts Philanthropy

August 24, 2016/ Mike Scutari

News out of Southern California suggests that sometimes a little bit of friendly (and competitive) philanthropic peer pressure can be good for a region's arts ecology.

August 22, 2016

Just Say No: When Should Arts Organizations Refuse a Gift?

August 22, 2016/ Mike Scutari

Conflicts of interest. A mismatch with an organization's mission. Dodging unsustainable capital projects. When should arts organizations channel their inner Nancy Reagan?

August 18, 2016

As Philanthropy Grapples with an Aging Nation, Where do the Arts Fit In?

August 18, 2016/ Mike Scutari

The number of Americans aged 65 is soaring. Meanwhile, research suggests that arts programs help seniors lead healthier lives. Will more donors get behind "artful aging"? Some already have.

August 10, 2016

This Funder Supports Community Culture (Especially of Asian Heritage)

August 10, 2016/ Sara Michelle

For the Cathay Bank Foundation, arts and culture are linked to "Civic & Community" emphases, with a particular interest in Asian and Asian American cultural programming.

July 28, 2016

A Social Movement Includes Community Arts at The Bay & Paul Foundations

July 28, 2016/ Sara Michelle

This funder sees community arts engagement as a means of creating a "just society," with a particular focus on programs in the New York City area.

July 27, 2016

A Quick Dive Into the State of Arts-Related Venture Philanthropy

July 27, 2016/ Mike Scutari

Arts donors increasingly demand "results" and meaningful "change." But what kind of results? And what does "change" look like? For answers, we dig into an illuminating discussion brokered by Art Basel.

July 22, 2016

Can Pop Culture Drive Social Change? These Foundations Think So.

July 22, 2016/ Mike Scutari

The way some major foundations see things, the most powerful tool to help spark social change remains underutilzed, yet is all around us, all the time. We explain.

July 20, 2016

The Powerful Role of Art in City Environment Funding

July 20, 2016/ Tate Williams

The projects backed by Bloomberg’s Public Art Challenge, including a 16-site meditation on LA’s water, are just the latest demonstration of the compelling combo of art and environmental work.

July 18, 2016

No Activist is an Island: Tracking the Evolution of a Fellowship for Socially Engaged Art

July 18, 2016/ Mike Scutari

The increasingly popular "artist as activist" model of artist funding is also a rather fluid one. We look at changes in how foundations perceive the "artist as activist" and how they allocate funding.

July 13, 2016

Meet the New Foundation Filling a Persistent Void in Local Arts Philanthropy

July 13, 2016/ Mike Scutari

It's a region overflowing with art, mega-museums, and rich people, but Southern California grantmakers rarely fund under-recognized individual artists, which is also true elsewhere. A new funder hopes to change that.