OVERVIEW: An iconic arts funder, the Getty Foundation funds a variety of projects in support of the visual arts, art museums, art conservation, and art history. While visual art is prioritized, Getty also funds culture and the humanities. Grantmaking … [Read more...] about Getty Foundation
Getty Foundation
How the Aspen Institute Supports Foundations Funded by Art
Arts Under Fire: What Los Angeles Has Lost and Who’s Funding Relief
Philanthropy’s 40 Most Powerful Families
With DEI Under Fire, a Historic Trust Doubles Down on Funding Civil Rights Sites
In recent years, including through the events of 2020, we’ve tracked several ways in which philanthropy is stepping up to preserve historic Black history and civil rights sites. Billionaire Robert F. Smith, for instance, gave nearly $39 million to … [Read more...] about With DEI Under Fire, a Historic Trust Doubles Down on Funding Civil Rights Sites
Who’s Backing Archaeological Research? Here are Five Funders Digging Up the Past
Archaeology stands out among the humanities for the extent to which it’s been romanticized and sensationalized over the years. In your typical Hollywood treatment, whoever’s financially backing the work tends to figure in the plot, often bringing … [Read more...] about Who’s Backing Archaeological Research? Here are Five Funders Digging Up the Past
How Getty’s Bringing Curators Together After the Disruption of COVID
I recently attended an art exhibit at the Getty Center in Los Angeles called “Drawing on Blue: European Drawings on Blue Paper, 1400s–1700s.” I’d never given much thought to the color of a drawing’s paper, but as the exhibition and accompanying … [Read more...] about How Getty’s Bringing Curators Together After the Disruption of COVID
How a Storied Arts and Humanities Institution Is Finding Support on Both Sides of the Atlantic
The American Academy in Rome may be the most significant cultural institution you’ve never heard of. Established in 1894 and chartered by an Act of Congress in 1905, AAR grants the prestigious Rome Prize to about 30 of the nation’s leading artists … [Read more...] about How a Storied Arts and Humanities Institution Is Finding Support on Both Sides of the Atlantic
A Top Science Funder Wants to Keep Ukraine’s Scientists at the Blackboard
In the year since Russia sharply escalated its nearly decade-long war with Ukraine, staging an all-out invasion of the country, philanthropic responses have been a valuable adjunct to military aid and other assistance coming from the U.S., the United … [Read more...] about A Top Science Funder Wants to Keep Ukraine’s Scientists at the Blackboard
What Books Are Philanthropic Leaders Reading? Here Are 21 Great Picks From IP Interviews
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on January 11, 2023.I was recently chatting with First Nations Development Institute President and CEO Michael Roberts when I came to a question that I like to ask in every Q&A — what’s the last … [Read more...] about What Books Are Philanthropic Leaders Reading? Here Are 21 Great Picks From IP Interviews
As Shelling Continues in Ukraine, an Arts Funder Backs Efforts to Preserve its Cultural Heritage
The war in Ukraine is marching on through winter, presenting new challenges for the Ukrainian people, most of whom spent last week living without heat or electricity after new Russian airstrikes.As of this month, the United Nations High Commissioner … [Read more...] about As Shelling Continues in Ukraine, an Arts Funder Backs Efforts to Preserve its Cultural Heritage
Seven Questions for Getty Foundation Director Joan Weinstein
In 2019, the J. Paul Getty Trust appointed Dr. Joan Weinstein as the new director of the Getty Foundation. The foundation fulfills the mission of the trust — which also happens to be the world’s wealthiest arts institution — by supporting individuals … [Read more...] about Seven Questions for Getty Foundation Director Joan Weinstein
McKnight, Other Minnesota Funders Answer Ford’s Call With Millions for BIPOC-led Arts Groups
Last year, Ford and several partner organizations launched America’s Cultural Treasures, a $156 million-plus, two-phase national initiative to save BIPOC-led arts organizations from becoming casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide them … [Read more...] about McKnight, Other Minnesota Funders Answer Ford’s Call With Millions for BIPOC-led Arts Groups
“An Instrument for Healing.” Two Funding Leaders Discuss the State of the Opera Field
Founded in 1970, OPERA America has a membership that includes over 500 opera companies, educational institutions, affiliated businesses and other entities. For the first 30 years of its existence, the organization’s grantmaking exclusively focused on … [Read more...] about “An Instrument for Healing.” Two Funding Leaders Discuss the State of the Opera Field
After Donors Revolt, a Museum Shelves a Bold Diversity Initiative. What Are Some Takeaways?
Recent developments out of Baltimore serve as a stark reminder that funders may not always see eye to eye with the plans of museum leadership to boost diversity and inclusion—especially if the plan calls for selling off valuable artwork.In April, the … [Read more...] about After Donors Revolt, a Museum Shelves a Bold Diversity Initiative. What Are Some Takeaways?
Behind Ford’s Bold Effort to Back Arts Groups Serving Communities of Color
At some point over the summer, the fate of the arts sector shifted from “uncertain” to “existential.” With government aid running out and the likelihood that in-person events may not safely resume for another year, some organizations are beginning to … [Read more...] about Behind Ford’s Bold Effort to Back Arts Groups Serving Communities of Color
New Funding Starts to Flow for Artists and Cultural Groups Facing Calamity
In late March, I looked at the rapid mobilization of arts funders to support artists and organizations affected by COVID-19. Two weeks later, many commentators’ worst-case fears have come to fruition. Organizations have laid off staff, while others … [Read more...] about New Funding Starts to Flow for Artists and Cultural Groups Facing Calamity
Museums and More: How an Art World Power Couple Does Their Giving
Editor’s Note: This article was first published on November 10, 2018. Stefan T. Edlis and Gael Neeson made big waves in 2015 with a donation of artworks worth $400 million to the Art Institute of Chicago. They were No. 4 on Forbes’ list of top givers … [Read more...] about Museums and More: How an Art World Power Couple Does Their Giving
Legacy: A Late Donor Helps an Art Museum Drill Deeper Into a Unique Niche
Recent news out of Baltimore underscores how the tireless work of a regional patron and historical serendipity can position a museum in a mid-tier city as a global center for scholarship.The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) announced in late July that … [Read more...] about Legacy: A Late Donor Helps an Art Museum Drill Deeper Into a Unique Niche
A Campus Gift to Boost Women in the Arts is a Big Deal for a Small School
New York artist and philanthropist Jane Walentas and her husband David recently made a $5 million gift to create the Walentas Visionary Women Scholarships program at Philadelphia’s Moore College of Art & Design, the nation’s first and only visual art … [Read more...] about A Campus Gift to Boost Women in the Arts is a Big Deal for a Small School
Almost There: Key Takeaways from a Museum’s Successful Capital Campaign
The New Museum in New York recently announced the construction of a second building to be named in honor of trustee Toby Devan Lewis, who pledged $20 million in support of the project—the largest gift ever received by the museum.The museum has raised … [Read more...] about Almost There: Key Takeaways from a Museum’s Successful Capital Campaign
“Where are the Women?” A Bequest Cements a Patron’s Legacy of Promoting Female Artists
In an essay in “The Art Market 2019,” sociologist Taylor Whitten Brown underscored the extent of gender disparity across the art world. Since 1999, female artists’ work sold at a lower median price than that of their male counterparts. Works by … [Read more...] about “Where are the Women?” A Bequest Cements a Patron’s Legacy of Promoting Female Artists
“Inclusiveness and Openness of Spirit.” A Donor Makes the Case for Free Museum Admission
In 2017, William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust Assistant Executive Dorian Burton succinctly articulated the prevailing donor sentiment across the arts philanthropy space. “Philanthropic efforts in the arts,” he said, “must make a fundamental shift … [Read more...] about “Inclusiveness and Openness of Spirit.” A Donor Makes the Case for Free Museum Admission
Domino Effect: Have Sackler Donations Finally Become Toxic?
Back in February, I wondered if organizations would return or refuse donations from the Sacklers in the wake of new revelations that specific family members like Richard, former chairman and president of Purdue Pharma, played a far more extensive … [Read more...] about Domino Effect: Have Sackler Donations Finally Become Toxic?
“Ongoing Evolution.” An African-American Couple Gets Behind a Museum’s Push for Greater Diversity
Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown’s $3.5 million gift to the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) to endow the position of chief curator may not seem particularly large by today’s standards of museum mega-giving, but it’s nonetheless important.At a time when … [Read more...] about “Ongoing Evolution.” An African-American Couple Gets Behind a Museum’s Push for Greater Diversity
Artist-Endowed Foundations Have Been Growing Fast and Are “an Increasingly Influential Force.”
Last year, I spoke with Christine J. Vincent, project director of the Aspen Institute’s Artist-Endowed Foundation Initiative (AEFI) about the growing footprint of artist-endowed foundations (AEF).Vincent pointed to a confluence of drivers fueling the … [Read more...] about Artist-Endowed Foundations Have Been Growing Fast and Are “an Increasingly Influential Force.”
Anonymous No More: A Closer Look at an Intriguing Arts Funder
Anonymous Was a Woman (AWAW) provides unrestricted grants of $25,000 to 10 female artists over age 40 annually in an effort to support women at a critical juncture in their careers. It has awarded over $5 million since 1996, and its founder and … [Read more...] about Anonymous No More: A Closer Look at an Intriguing Arts Funder
Next Act: A Big Gift to Kickstart a Historic Fundraising Campaign From Outgoing NPR Chief
When Jarl Mohn assumed the CEO position at NPR in July of 2014, he readily acknowledged the litany of challenges on his docket. “Budgets are tight, there have been deficits reported for NPR, and what I hope I can do is help raise money and help the … [Read more...] about Next Act: A Big Gift to Kickstart a Historic Fundraising Campaign From Outgoing NPR Chief
Build On: Why Reports of the Death of Big Capital Projects are Greatly Exaggerated
Recents developments out of New York City provide an insightful look into the contrasting and evolving fortunes of legacy institutions embarking on audacious capital projects.On one hand, organizations like the Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan … [Read more...] about Build On: Why Reports of the Death of Big Capital Projects are Greatly Exaggerated
“Diversity of Treasures.” A Sunsetting Funder Shines a Light on Underrepresented Artists
Back in June, the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation announced it would close its doors and give the remainder of its holdings to museums.At the time, it gifted approximately around 400 works—about half of its holdings—to New York’s Whitney Museum of … [Read more...] about “Diversity of Treasures.” A Sunsetting Funder Shines a Light on Underrepresented Artists
