Using the arts to drive equitable community development has been both a promising and frustrating proposition ever since it started gaining traction among funders roughly a decade ago. We check in on how a key leader in this space, the Kresge Foundation, sees the field evolving.
Read MoreDecades of boom times haven’t just created piles of wealth in the Acela Corridor and on the West Coast. Many big fortunes have also emerged from “old economy” industries in the heartland. A recent gift in Madison, Wisconsin shows how these riches are bolstering local cultural life.
Read MoreAs opera companies grapple with a dwindling subscriber base and the exodus of older audience members, the Wallace Foundation’s latest installment in its $64 million initiative to drive engagement at performing arts organizations is both timely and instructive.
Read MorePoetry received a much-needed boost from the Mellon Foundation, whose president, Elizabeth Alexander, is an acclaimed poet. In addition to awarding cash, the historic gift also envisions poetry as a vehicle to address important social issues.
Read MoreAfter more than 20 years of anonymity, the funder of a coveted set of grants for older women artists revealed her identity last year. What inspires her giving—and why did she decide to finally step forward publicly?
Read MoreEven as other priorities clamor for attention, big city foundations have stuck with funding for the arts. A case in point is the William Penn Foundation, which aims to increase access to high-quality artistic and cultural experiences across Philadelphia.
Read MoreSlowly but surely, funders have come around to Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s prescient vision of integrating science with the humanities. We dig into the foundation’s recent moves in the filmmaking space.
Read MoreWhile a growing number of funders see the arts as a means to drive social change, news out of New York City suggests some billionaire patrons can't shake their affection for shiny museum wings and other brick-and-mortar projects.
Read MoreThe Art for Justice Fund was launched last year to help end mass incarceration and has already given away $40 million. We take a closer look at the fund's model against a backdrop of fast-moving political developments.
Read MoreThe Roy Lichtenstein Foundation recently announced it was shuttering its doors after 19 years. It’s not going quietly. With a big gift to promote underrepresented artists, the foundation is expanding its already formidable legacy.
With arts organizations increasingly buffeted by change, two Massachusetts foundations have rolled out a new $25 million initiative to help groups build the “adaptive capacity” they need to thrive in turbulent times.
Read MoreStewart F. Lane and his wife Bonnie Comley have collectively produced over 40 Broadway shows, making a fortune along the way—wealth that underwrites philanthropy focused on the arts and their alma maters.
Read MoreNow in its 25th year, the Joan Mitchell Foundation has emerged as an influential player in arts philanthropy. We talk with CEO Christa Blatchford about where it’s heading and the challenges facing working artists today.
Read MoreThe Dorsey & Whitney Foundation, an international law firm based in Minnesota, supports the communities where its lawyers work—in a variety of ways. We take a quick look at its grantmaking, local employee engagement, and pro bono legal services.
Read MoreAs arts funders remain laser-focused on equity—both in terms of representation and access—the Walton Family Foundation makes another big gift towards diversifying the ranks of museum leaders.
Read MoreThe Surdna Foundation is known for being a trailblazer among progressive foundations. But how does that role play out in terms of where grants actually go? Here’s a quick peak.
Read MoreAs artist-endowed foundations grow in number and influence, we check in with the Aspen Institute's Christine J. Vincent on the opportunities and challenges facing these unique and frequently misunderstood entities.
Read MoreThe surge in regional philanthropy is driven by homegrown donors who are stepping up giving, often after decades of steady support. A recent example of this dynamic comes to us from Milwaukee.
Read MoreAs regional giving continues to reshape the higher ed landscape, we’re seeing greater support for the highbrow performing arts at universities far from the familiar urban enclaves. Here’s an instructive case study.
Read MoreA while back, the University of Arizona reached a $1.5 billion campaign goal two years early. But the gifts kept coming in, highlighting the advantages of "always on" higher ed fundraising.
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