Grantmakers in the Arts

(10-11-10) The Life Is Art Foundation, recently began to reap a new kind of financing, in the form of tall, happy-looking marijuana plants. Late this month, with some help from the sale of its first small crop, grown under California’s liberal medical marijuana laws, the group plans to present an inaugural exhibition on its land, of sculpture and installation work by more than 20 visiting artists — some of whom will have helped bring in the harvest.

(10-8-10) This week, The James Irvine Foundation announced $3.8 million in grants to twelve California Central Valley arts organizations. The grants represent the first year of the second phase of the foundation's Arts Regional Initiative, which funds actions (including strategic plan updates) by arts organizations to advance financial sustainability and to increase cultural participation from underrepresented communities.

(10-8-10) The Fall 2010 edition of GIA Reader was mailed earlier this week, so watch your mail for its arrival. It features research-focused articles by Steven Lawrence, Angela Han, Margaret Ayers, and Holly Sidford; an overview by John McCann of the Arts Education Thought Leader Forum, and much more (including poetry from Gwendolyn Brooks and Haki Madhubuti).

(10-8-10) The Web Conference “Arts Funding Update: New Trends and Assumptions” will take place today, Friday, October 8, at 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT. Three presenters will discuss the latest research in the field of arts funding: Steven Lawrence, director of research, Foundation Center, Holly Sidford, president, Helicon Collaborative, and Angela Han, director of research, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.

(10-6-10) The NASAA awards program showcases best practices of state arts agencies and regional arts organizations, recognizes exemplary leadership, and demonstrates how government creatively, effectively and efficiently serves the public through the arts.

This year's recipients are recognized for their outstanding leadership and contributions to the field. All three awards will be presented October 15 at Assembly 2010 in Austin, Texas:

(10-5-10) The Sundance Institute's new initiative Film Forward is a curated group of five American and five international independent films selected for screening at select U.S. venues and venues around the world, including American embassies.

(10-5-10) The National Science Foundation, a federal agency, make a substantial grant to the arts.

(9-29-10) "Reports of the nonprofit sector’s death have been greatly exaggerated. So, too, have assumptions about for-profits’ intrinsic efficiency (and amorality). Along with these has come a flurry of activity designed to make for-profits look more like nonprofits and vice versa."

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