Grantmakers in the Arts

by Steve

From Lauri Baskin, writing for TCG Circle:

As you know, because the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives were unable to reach a deal on funding federal government operations as the new fiscal year started today, the federal government was forced to shutdown for the first time in 17 years. We hope the stalemate is resolved quickly, and in the meanwhile, this is what we know.

Read the full post.

by Abigail

With the conference upcoming, Philadelphia is on our minds this month — and on the GIA website. Images featured on the photo banner throughout October were provided by GIA member the William Penn Foundation. Founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, the William Penn Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia region through efforts that close the achievement gap for low-income children, ensure a sustainable environment, foster creativity that enhances civic life, and advance philanthropy in the Philadelphia region.

by Steve

Barry Hessenius will be on the team of bloggers covering the GIA 2013 Conference. He posts to the GIA Conference Blog on the issues he hopes to see discussed.

As I look forward to the GIA Conference next week, and the speakers and panels and sessions that will attempt to address some of the issues arts funders face, I know that much of the serious discussion will go on outside of those planned activities — in the lobbies and hallways, at the bar, and during the breaks and at breakfasts, lunches, dinners and receptions. I know that there are scores of issues on the minds of the different attendees — issues they grapple with all year. I know too that there are no easy answers to most of the challenges funders face; no necessarily right or wrong answers.
by Tommer

"Thanks to the arts, Philadelphia feels different today. But now that the building boom of new facilities is over, the question is whether the city and its benefactors can muster the support to become savior to the arts. With operating costs up and philanthropy and ticket sales failing to keep pace, stress cracks are appearing in institutions all over town. Some groups, saddled with debt payments, are adjusting offerings to become more commercial.

by Tommer

Following closely, but not in response to, the NEA's participation study, is related commentary by Doug Borwick on the Metamission of Arts Organizations.

by Tommer

The 2012 survey on public participation scheduled to be released today by the National Endowment for the Arts, reports that one out of every three Americans, or about 78 million people, visited an art exhibition or attended a performing arts event in 2012. That figure represents a drop across the board since the last survey in 2008, but the slide was steepest for musicals and plays.

by Steve

The National Endowment for the Arts has released guidelines and application materials for Our Town, the agency's primary creative placemaking grants program. Pending availability of funding, grants will range from $25,000 to $200,000. Application deadline is January 13, 2014 at 11:59 PM ET, and a webinar to learn more about this funding opportunity will be held on November 4, 2013 at 2:00 PM ET.

by Steve

The 2013 MacArthur Fellows include pinist/composer Vijay Iyer, choreographer Alexi Ratmansky of American Ballet Theatre, author Karen Russell, and photographer Carrie Mae Weems (who was featured in the GIA Reader in 2010).