Arts and Community Development

"For the last several years, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) has been re-examining its approaches to engaging the public in discourse around issues of representation, equity, and diversity during the process of commissioning permanent artwork, monuments, and memorials in the public realm. Traditional methods of engagement such as public meetings, surveys, and questionnaires remain important tools. But in order to develop a deeper and more nuanced assessment of community values and priorities, we need to commit to varied forms of engagement that connect with broader, more representative audiences and foster more thoughtful dialogue."

From NextCity: Join Culture Surge, Harness and the Native American Community Development Institute on Wednesday, October 5 at 1pm EST for a conversation on how culture and creativity are being used to develop culturally relevant strategies in partnership with artists, culture bearers, cultural strategists and community organizers.

From Yancey Consulting: "This is the story of Artist Relief 2020. It was an INCREDIBLE initiative.

• 9 months
• 161,000 applications
• $21 million raised
• 3,916 artists funded
• $5,000 each
• 100s of practitioners, administrators, artists, individual donors, and institutional funders mobilized

Take in the story. And then take in the recommendations and qualitative and quantitative reports. After doing so, let me know what you think and what we can do about crisis preparedness and resolving economic disparities."

From Open Society Foundations: "This discussion about the restitution of Ngonnso to the Nso community, hosted by the Open Society Foundations Global Initiative for the Restitution of African Cultural Heritage and Open Society grantee SySy House of Fame, features African cultural heritage activist Sylvie Njobati and researcher María Leonor Pérez Ramírez discussing the power of civil society empowerment and the work which led to this historic event."

“Narratives are the stories we tell that help us make sense of the world,” said Laura Hughes, Director of Narrative Strategies for PolicyLink. “And, most importantly, stories tell where we are today and shape the world we want to create.”

The new grant from Basic Income for the Arts, “will give 2,000 artists €325 (~$354) a week with no restrictions on spending.” This pilot program will be tested over the course of three years (2022-2025).

As part of their February spotlight on land, wealth, and ownership, Common Future shares a series of pieces drawing reflections on the legacies of land, wealth, and culture theft and cataloging actions by BIPOC communities in response. "The loss of land not only results in stripping financial wealth from families, but cultural wealth as well," Jennie Stephens, executive director of the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation and Common Future network leader emphasizes. “It’s far more than just a parcel of land — it can be a window to the past that tells the story of a family, a community, or a way of life. Knowing about your family’s history and culture creates a sense of place and belonging.”

The Henry Luce Foundation announced recently the commitment of $14 Million in new grants intended to amplify diverse experiences and fund community-engaged projects.

The newly released Monument Lab’s audit of the United States' commemorative landscape, in partnership with the Mellon Foundation, answers important questions like: "Who are the 50 individuals most frequently represented by a public monument in the US? What percentage of those 50 are white and male? How many are women? And what are the dynamics that helped shape who is—and who is not—on that list?".

In a recent article, Next City tackled the concept of third places and "the importance of public space, separate from home or work, designed by and for Black people."