February 22, 2023 Why Mellon Is Boosting Art That Confronts the Criminal Justice System February 22, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe The leading funder of the humanities committed $125 million to lift up the artistic voices of those directly impacted by American legal system. It’s a big influx of cash for this field, and one that Mellon hopes will have broad impacts. Read More
February 01, 2023 Seven Questions for Cate Fox, Director of the Center for Cultural Innovation's AmbitioUS Program February 01, 2023/ Mike Scutari Cate Fox, formerly of MacArthur, leads AmbitioUS, which invests in alternative economic models for creative communities. We chatted with her about her work, the limits of philanthropy’s self-examination, and more.Read More
January 26, 2023 Older Americans Rarely Have Access to Arts Education. This Funder is Working to Change That January 26, 2023/ Mike Scutari Philanthropist Ellen Michelson has been a tireless proponent of “creative aging,” an arts education program model geared toward individuals 55 and over. We check in with her about the field, her work with museums, and more.Read More
December 13, 2022 Backed by a Huge Bequest, a New Arts Funder’s Grantmaking Strategy Begins to Takes Shape December 13, 2022/ Mike Scutari The Ruth Foundation for the Arts has made a big splash in the arts world thanks to its penchant for flexible funding and a $440 endowment. We check in with executive director Karen Patterson on the foundation’s inaugural year.Read More
December 02, 2022 A Conversation with Jeffreen Hayes, Executive Director of Chicago-Based Arts Funder Threewalls December 02, 2022/ Mike Scutari Dr. Jeffreen Hayes heads the Chicago-based arts organization and grantmaker Threewalls. We chatted with her to discuss her career trajectory, why she’s optimistic about the state of philanthropy, and more.Read More
December 01, 2022 As Shelling Continues in Ukraine, an Arts Funder Backs Efforts to Preserve its Cultural Heritage December 01, 2022/ Liz Longley Although international law forbids it, destruction of sites with cultural significance is common during war. In Ukraine, hundreds of such places have been damaged. Getty recently backed an effort to protect the nation’s heritage.Read More
November 08, 2022 “There’s No Going Back.” Six Questions for Sage Crump of the National Performance Network November 08, 2022/ Mike Scutari NPN recently named Sage Crump director of its Department of Racial Justice and Movement Building, advancing social justice through arts and culture. She fills us in on the group’s work, her biggest influences, and more.Read More
October 26, 2022 The Regional Arts Philanthropy Boom, So Cal Style: The OCMA Gets a New Home October 26, 2022/ Wendy Paris The Orange County Museum of Art raised tens of millions in high-dollar donations for its new facility, which opened with great fanfare last month. It’s the latest example of the growing power of regional arts philanthropy. Read More
October 20, 2022 A New Space for Old Folks: An L.A. Funder Is Pioneering the Future of Senior Centers October 20, 2022/ Wendy Paris The Annenberg Foundation gave millions to develop a modern senior center that defies stereotypes about aging. As Americans get older, the team behind the project hopes it will serve as a model for future facilities.Read More
October 18, 2022 Six Questions for Alberto Mejia, National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures Deputy Director October 18, 2022/ Mike Scutari Alberto Mejia is the deputy director of NALAC, an influential supporter of Latino arts and culture in the United States. In this Q&A, Mejia discusses his start as a hip hop performer, his take on the state of philanthropy, and more.Read More
October 14, 2022 With a Higher Ed Partnership, a New Foundation Is Spotlighting Indigenous History and Culture October 14, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen The Gochman Family Foundation is a new grantmaker founded in 2021. Here’s a look at how it’s joining forces with the Open Society Foundations to launch new Indigenous arts and history programs at Bard College.Read More
September 30, 2022 Intergenerational Music-Making: How One Funder's Tackling Loneliness and Division September 30, 2022/ Wendy Paris For the Eisner Foundation, funding a community-based orchestra, open to all ages, has helped build ties between the generations, enriching an L.A. neighborhood. It’s a testament to the power of intergenerational programming.Read More
September 22, 2022 A Major Funder Is Overhauling How it Backs Local Arts Groups. What Will That Mean for Grantees? September 22, 2022/ Mike Scutari Part of an ongoing effort to be more equitable, MacArthur is transitioning to a participatory regranting partnership to support Chicago’s small to midsized arts organizations. How will grantees be impacted? Read More
August 22, 2022 Seven Questions for Celeste Smith, Pittsburgh Foundation’s Arts and Culture Senior Program Officer August 22, 2022/ Mike Scutari Celeste Smith is the senior program officer for arts and culture at the Pittsburgh Foundation. We chatted about her career, her thoughts on the state of philanthropy, and what funders and grantees can learn from “The Matrix.”Read More
August 02, 2022 Six Questions for Quanice G. Floyd, Co-Founder and Director of Arts Administrators of Color August 02, 2022/ Mike Scutari In 2016, Quanice G. Floyd co-founded Arts Administrators of Color to support professionals in the field. We checked in with her to discuss how the organization came together, her take on the state of philanthropy, and more.Read More
July 26, 2022 “Ingredients in Living a Fulfilling Life.” How Alice Walton’s Philanthropy Is Evolving and Expanding July 26, 2022/ Mike Scutari Alice Walton is one of America’s most important arts philanthropists, and lately she’s been ramping up her giving in the health and wellness space. We check in with Walton to discuss her ever-growing charitable portfolio.Read More
July 21, 2022 Cash for Creators: A San Francisco Initiative Offers Guaranteed Income to Working Artists July 21, 2022/ Wendy Paris A new direct giving program aims to close the wealth gap for local artists, or at least cover supplies, with a guaranteed $1,000 a month. The cash has a surprisingly large impact, with some artists even giving a portion away.Read More
June 22, 2022 “Dance for Every Child.” Catching Up With Educator, Advocate and Philanthropist Jody Gottfried Arnhold June 22, 2022/ Mike Scutari Jody Gottfried Arnhold wants every child in America to have access to dance education. We check in with one of performing arts philanthropy’s most important advocates on the heels of another big gift to advance her goal.Read More
June 14, 2022 How One Funder is Moving Millions to Arts Organizations of Color — and What it’s Learning June 14, 2022/ Mike Scutari The Wallace Foundation just announced the inaugural round of grantees for its $100 million initiative supporting arts organizations of color. The initiative seeks to better understand how such groups serve their communities. Read More
June 08, 2022 Six Trends in Arts and Culture for Funders to Watch June 08, 2022/ Rocío Aranda-Alvarado and Lane Harwell, Guest Contributors We are experiencing a social, environmental and economic reckoning — and the arts and culture landscape is shifting as a result. Ford program officers Rocío Aranda-Alvarado and Lane Harwell identify six trends in the field.Read More