Steering Committee Report | July 2011 Meeting

The GIA Individual Artists Group Steering Committee is developing a case statement advocating for support of artists, based in part upon survey data collected from GIA members who have programs of support, direct and indirect, for individual artists. A draft statement will be the subject of a salon session and discussion during the annual conference in San Francisco this October. The Group will use various strategies for disseminating this statement and advocating for its message.

Grantmakers in the Arts convened a committee to advise on the possibility of making funding for individual artists a part of the GIA research agenda. There will be a San Francisco conference salon session on this research agenda item.

The Committee received an update on the program content and approach for the joint Preconference of the Individual Artists Group and the Arts and Social Justice Group: Artists and Social Justice. The focus will be on artists who are working to effect positive change in the world and the support mechanisms they need to act and be successful. By combining forces with another interest group, we hope to attract a larger number of attendees to the preconference and provide opportunities for truly rich exchanges. Please consider attending.

A number of conference sessions within the San Francisco schedule draw attention to individual artists and their critical role. This should make for a rewarding track of sessions for grantmakers who are interested in learning more about this field.

On August 2, GIA will offer a webinar on non-grant support to individual artists. Presenters will focus on innovative practices in promotion, recognition, and validation of artists in society. Free registration is available through the GIA website.

The Steering Committee will next meet in September. It welcomes questions and recommendations at any time.