GIA Blog

Posted on March 1, 2016 by SuJ'n

For the month of March 2016, GIA’s photo banner features art and projects supported by the Robert B. McMillen Foundation. The Foundation is a unique, private family foundation whose office is nestled in the heart of the Cascade Range in Washington State. Small but mighty, it is a statewide organization focused on medical research and the arts, with particular emphasis on supporting working artists and the arts as an economic driver to create vibrant communities.

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Steve

The National Endowment for the Humanities has announced a new grant program to strengthen and sustain quality humanities programs that benefit youth, communities of color, and economically disadvantaged populations. Humanities Access Grants offer matching grants toward term endowments for programming at cultural institutions that broadens access to excellent humanities content for underserved groups.

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Steve

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is conducting a survey of US-based artists to better understand their needs related to careers, income, health, and overall well-being. The survey is live now and through March 15th. It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Steve

A new website aims to assert the essential role of arts and cultural organizations in rural economic and community development. Next Generation: The Future of Arts & Culture Placemaking in Rural America — the full title of a “digital learning commons” announced by Art of the Rural (AOTR) and the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) — is designed to provide a platform for storytelling, research, and best practices as well as an inclusive space for deeper collaboration. The Learning Commons wants to address two major challenges facing rural arts practitioners — geographic distance and access to information and networks — and establishes a digital intermediary through which these partnerships can develop.

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Steve

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced the launch of the Rising Leaders of Color (RLC) Program and is taking nominations for participants to a DC-area cohort. RLC is an expansion and re-envisioning of TCG’s Young Leaders of Color Program that was launched in 2008. The program will work to change the face of the theatre field by nurturing and supporting an intergenerational network of leaders of color at various stages in their careers.

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Steve

The National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) convened national leaders and advocates, master teaching artists and researchers for the regional launch of the NCCA Creative Caregiving Guide on February 23 in Los Angeles, California. The guide is a web-based and community-shared resource specially designed for both family and professional caregivers of adults who live with Alzheimer's disease and related cognitive disorders.

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Steve

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) has published the results of a survey examining the diversity of staff and leadership at nonprofit cultural organizations that are funded by the city. The survey release marks a major milestone in DCLA’s initiative to promote and cultivate diversity in the cultural community. The survey found that while New York City’s cultural sector is far more diverse than cultural organizations on the national level, it lags behind the demographic diversity of the city’s population.

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Steve

From Sherry Lucas, writing for The Clarion-Ledger:

Malcolm White’s return to the helm of the Mississippi Arts Commission is a “back to the future” move, in his words. “I’m stoked about it,” he said of going back to the post of executive director of the state arts agency, a job he previously held 2005-2012. “It feels like going back home.” But with value added. Three years as the state’s tourism chief means he’ll come packing a chunk of new knowledge, know-how, contacts.
Posted on February 19, 2016 by Steve

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has announced the appointment of Maurine Knighton as the new program director of the foundation’s Performing Arts Program. Knighton currently is senior vice president at the Nathan Cummings Foundation as well as a member of the Grantmakers in the Arts Board of Directors. She joined Cummings five years ago as the Arts and Culture Program Director, building and expanding on NCF’s track record and commitment to work in the arts funding sector. “NCF is a stronger foundation than when she first began, and we are grateful for her wisdom and generosity over the years,” said Sharon Alpert, President & CEO of the Nathan Cummings Foundation. “Maurine will be with us until March 11, 2015 and we plan to use every minute to soak up her wise counsel.”

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Steve

By Howard Reich, writing for the Chicago Tribune:

A cash infusion of more than $6 million is heading to Chicago’s arts community. For the first time, the Chicago-based John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation will direct all of its MacArthur Awards for Creative & Effective Institutions to the city’s arts organizations. The awards, established in 2006, previously have gone to institutions around the globe covering a wide array of disciplines. This time, grants ranging from $200,000 to $1 million each will be given to 14 Chicago arts groups in jazz, theater, film, dance, opera, visual art and more.