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Philanthropy and Funding

Content in this section engages with ideas around philanthropy and arts funding around the world. For a look at the United States, start with Grantmakers in the Arts conference or, for a global perspective, check out essays from Romania, Mexico, and Canada.

The Latest

Cultivating Abundance Through Community Care with Nicole C. Limón
Podcast
Cultivating Abundance Through Community Care with Nicole C. Limón
by Yura Sapi, Nicole Limón
4 April 2024
That Which We Call a Struggle: A Response to Ife Olujobi’s “$5000”
Essay
That Which We Call a Struggle: A Response to Ife Olujobi’s “$5000”
by Chris Myers
5 February 2024
New York City Grantmakers in Conversation
Video
New York City Grantmakers in Conversation
The People Behind the Portal
Tuesday 24 October 2023
New York City
A grey-colored person looking off to the left with colorful flowers bursting from their head.
The Realm of the Senses: Theatrical World-Building for Social Activation
Essay

The Realm of the Senses: Theatrical World-Building for Social Activation

26 August 2021

In this entry of Devising Our Future, Aly Perry asks, “How might we position and design theatre as an essential space for healing, pleasure, and connection through an intertwining and interdependent realm of the senses?

event poster for the information session on the american rescue plan 2021.
The American Rescue Plan with the National Endowment for the Arts
CAATA
National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
Video

The American Rescue Plan with the National Endowment for the Arts

Speaking on the American Rescue Plan’s Grants to Organizations program

Monday 19 July 2021
United States

The Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists (CAATA) presented an information session with representatives from the National Endowment for the Arts speaking on the American Rescue Plan's Grants to Organizations program livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 19 July 2021 at 9:30 a.m. HST (Honolulu, UTC -10), 11:30 a.m. AKDT (Juneau, UTC -8), 12:30 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7), 1:30 p.m. MDT (Denver, UTC -6), 2:30 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5), 3:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Nine actresses in soccer uniforms with most of them doing goofy gestures. Some have orange peels in their mouths.
Maybe There’s More Than Enough: Escaping the Scarcity Mindset in Nonprofit Theatre
Essay

Maybe There’s More Than Enough: Escaping the Scarcity Mindset in Nonprofit Theatre

10 June 2021

Alix Rosenfeld offers suggestions for nonprofits seeking to move out of a scarcity mindset, embrace a spirit of abundance, and build pathways to a more ethical and equitable ecosystem.

photo of Ouafa Belgacem, text of the event title and details, with purple and yellow flower decorations.
Theatre-making in the Arab World and North Africa
Tebere Arts Foundation
NBO musical theatre initiative logo.
Nairobi Musical Theatre Initiative
Video

Theatre-making in the Arab World and North Africa

The Stories Women Carry: Creative Practice of African Women from the Continent

Monday 26 April 2021
Kenya

Tebere Arts Foundation presented the conversation Theatre-making in the Arab World and North Africa with The Stories Women Carry: Creative Practice of African Women from the Continent livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 26 April 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 8 p.m. EAT (Nairobi, UTC +3).

purple border around black text economic transperency in commercial theater.
Economic Transparency in the Commercial Theatre
Producer Hub
Video

Economic Transparency in the Commercial Theatre

Let’s talk about how we talk about money

Thursday 15 April 2021
United States

Producer Hub presented the conversation Economic Transparency in the Commercial Theatre with their series Producing Ethically in 2021 livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 15 April 2021 at 5 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 7 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 8 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

a large group sitting in a circle watching a staged reading
How Sustained Support for Playwrights Impacts Artistry
Essay

How Sustained Support for Playwrights Impacts Artistry

National Playwright Residency Program Evaluation 2020

1 March 2021

Alexis Frasz and Holly Sidford of Helicon Collaborative share their findings from the most recent assessment of the National Playwright Residency Program.

a colorful illustration
Catalyzing Climate Justice by Divesting from Fossil Fuels
Essay

Catalyzing Climate Justice by Divesting from Fossil Fuels

19 February 2021

Annalisa Dias and Ronee Penoi, on behalf of Groundwater Arts, argue that there cannot be a just arts sector within an unjust world, and that contrary to what people think, arts workers do have the means and the agency to make change. What is needed is a new narrative.

two actors onstage
Investing In Cultural Equity
Essay

Investing In Cultural Equity

28 January 2021

Ralph Peña argues that private foundations play a vital role in sustaining nonprofit theatres in the United States and these funders must better recognize the value of, and make significant investments in, smaller, community-focused BIPOC organizations.

zoom video chat of several people
Seven Performers Living in Bogotá / Siete artistas viviendo en Bogotá
Essay

Seven Performers Living in Bogotá / Siete artistas viviendo en Bogotá

Actions and Reflections to Cope with the “New Normal” / Acciones y Reflexiones para Afrontar la "Nueva Normalidad"

1 December 2020

Michelle Yemayá notes that while Colombian theatre artists have found ways to face the unexpected changes this year, artists are still struggling to stay afloat. She talks about how she has adapted her practice under the circumstances and shares the stories of three other artists living and working as artists in Colombia right now. / Michelle Yemayá ha notado que, si bien los artistas del teatro colombiano han encontrado formas de enfrentar los cambios inesperados de este año, la lucha por mantenerse a flote es constante. Habla sobre cómo ha adaptado su práctica a las circunstancias y comparte las historias de otras tres personas que en este momento viven y trabajan como artistas en Colombia.

blue background with yellow culturecapital:online text
culturecapital:online LUKE REECE vs DANI FECKO
playing card with text culturecapital
culturecapital
Video

culturecapital:online LUKE REECE vs DANI FECKO

Two players compete online for sweet art money in culturecapital, the arts economy trading card game

Tuesday 27 October 2020
Canada

The fourth round of culturecapital:online LUKE REECE vs DANI FECKO livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 27 October 2020 at 6 p.m. PDT (Vancouver, UTC-7) / 8 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC-5) / 9 p.m. EDT (Toronto, UTC-4) / Thursday 21 May 10:00 KST (Seoul, UTC+9) / 13:00 NZST (Auckland, UTC+12).

blue background with yellow culturecapital:online text
culturecapital:online JENNA RODGERS vs MADDIE BAUTISTA
playing card with text culturecapital
culturecapital
Video

culturecapital:online JENNA RODGERS vs MADDIE BAUTISTA

Two players compete online for sweet art money in culturecapital, the arts economy trading card game

Wednesday 30 September 2020
Canada

The third round of culturecapital:online JENNA RODGERS vs MADDIE BAUTISTA livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 30 September 2020 at 6 p.m. PDT (Vancouver, UTC-7) / 8 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC-5) / 9 p.m. EDT (Toronto, UTC-4) / Thursday 21 May 10:00 KST (Seoul, UTC+9) / 13:00 NZST (Auckland, UTC+12).

blue background with yellow culturecapital:online text
culturecapital:online MARK HOPKINS vs RALPH ESCAMILLAN
playing card with text culturecapital
culturecapital
Video

culturecapital:online MARK HOPKINS vs RALPH ESCAMILLAN

Two players compete online for sweet art money in culturecapital, the arts economy trading card game

Wednesday 2 September 2020
Canada

The second round of culturecapital:online MARK HOPKINS vs RALPH ESCAMILLAN livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 2 September 2020 at 6 p.m. PDT (Vancouver, UTC-7) / 8 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC-5) / 9 p.m. EDT (Toronto, UTC-4) / Thursday 21 May 10:00 KST (Seoul, UTC+9) / 13:00 NZST (Auckland, UTC+12).

two people standing infront of a large projection
Shuffling Performance Discourse
Essay

Shuffling Performance Discourse

22 June 2020

Milton Lim and Patrick Blenkarn talk about culturecapital, their arts trading card game that offers a window into the complex relationships artists have with public funding, being socially relevant, and navigating a rapidly changing landscape of ethics, politics, and economics within the arts.

hands with cards at a playing table
culturecapital:online
playing card with text culturecapital
culturecapital
primary color blocks
National Theatre School of Canada
Video

culturecapital:online

Two players compete online for sweet art money in culturecapital, the arts economy trading card game

Wednesday 20 May 2020
Canada

National Theatre School of Canada presented the first ever culturecapital:online livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 20 May 2020 at 6 p.m. PDT (Vancouver, UTC-7) / 8 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC-5) / 9 p.m. EDT (Toronto, UTC-4) / Thursday 21 May 10:00 KST (Seoul, UTC+9) / 13:00 NZST (Auckland, UTC+12).

two actors onstage
On Art and Activism
Essay

On Art and Activism

12 May 2020

Israel Aloni argues that the lack of governmental support for artists has pushed them to pursue activism but contends that art ought to remain independent of the civil-political sphere.

Grantmakers in the Arts Logo
Emergency Preparedness and Response: COVID-19 and the Arts Ecosystem (ASL interpreted)
blue square with white text G I A
Grantmakers in the Arts
Video

Emergency Preparedness and Response: COVID-19 and the Arts Ecosystem (ASL interpreted)

A Grantmakers in the Arts Webinar

Thursday 19 March 2020
United States

Grantmakers in the Arts presented the webinar Emergency Preparedness and Response: COVID-19 and the Arts Ecosystem livestreaming on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 19 March 2020 at 4 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4) / 3 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC-5) / 2 p.m. MDT (Denver, UTC-6) / 1 p.m. PDT (Los Angeles, UTC-7) / 12 p.m. AKDT (Anchorage, UTC-8) / 10 a.m. HST (Honolulu, UTC-10).

event photos on blue background with arts, culture, & community investment text
Arts, Culture, and Community Investment - CultureBank Dallas
IAD text on blurred background
Ignite/Arts Dallas: A Center for People, Purpose + Place
Video

Arts, Culture, and Community Investment - CultureBank Dallas

with Ignite/Arts Dallas: A Center for People, Purpose + Place

Tuesday 25 February 2020
Dallas, Texas

Ignite/Arts Dallas presented Arts, Culture & Community Investment - CultureBank Dallas livestreamed on the commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network on Tuesday 25 February at 11 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC-8) / 1 p.m. CST (Dallas, UTC-6) / 2 p.m. EST (New York, UTC-5).

Miki Braniște
The Evolving Cultural Ecosystem of Cluj
Essay

The Evolving Cultural Ecosystem of Cluj

13 February 2020

Széker Jetta sits down with Miki Braniște to talk about Cluj’s arts and culture policies, how they have changed over time, and how they have affected the city’s independent artistic scene.

protest image saying culture is the national fund.
Hungary’s Funding Emergency in the Performing Arts
Video

Hungary’s Funding Emergency in the Performing Arts

A call-to-action panel discussion about the context of this crisis and how to help.

Sunday 8 December 2019
Budapest, Hungary

A call-to-action panel discussion about Hungary’s funding emergency in the performing arts livestreamed from Jurányi performing arts theatre, Budapest on the commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Sunday 8 December 2019 at 1:30 p.m PST (Los Angeles, UTC -8) / 4:30 p.m EST (New York, UTC -5) / 21:30 GMT (London, UTC +0) / 22:30 CET (Budapest, UTC +1) / 23:30 (Bucharest, UTC +2).

a painting of a girl in Mexican "day of the dead" skull makeup.
2019 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference: Cultural Intersections
blue square with white text G I A
Grantmakers in the Arts
Video

2019 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference: Cultural Intersections

in Denver, Colorado, USA

Monday 14 October and Wednesday 16 October 2019
Denver, Colorado, USA

Grantmakers in the Arts presented the 2019 GIA Conference Cultural Intersections livestreaming from Denver, Colorado on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 14 October and Wednesday 16 October 2019.

an audience view of a concert
Cultural Participation Policies
Essay

Cultural Participation Policies

A Poverty of Ambition

8 October 2019

Dr. David Stevenson talks about audience diversification, confronts the dominant hierarchy of cultural activities, and looks to create space for valuing everyone’s chosen cultural experiences the same way.

politicians giving a press conference
The Necessity of a New Green Federal Theatre Project
Essay

The Necessity of a New Green Federal Theatre Project

30 July 2019

Karen Malpede argues that significant theatrical engagement with the climate crisis cannot occur in the United States without governmental intervention, and looks at the Federal Theatre Project as a model.

A group of people posing for a photograph
Reimagining the Relationship Between Playwrights and Institutions
Essay

Reimagining the Relationship Between Playwrights and Institutions

Announcing an Open Call for the Third Round of the National Playwright Residency Program

5 July 2019

Applications for the third round of the National Playwright Residency Program, an intervention into the traditional relationships between artists and institutions, are now live!

a youtube screenshot
A Look at Independent Theatres in Mexico
Essay

A Look at Independent Theatres in Mexico

Un vistazo a las salas de teatro independiente en México

3 July 2019

Mariela López talks about her research on independent theatres across Mexico, including the challenges, the benefits, and recommendations for anyone wanting to create a company. / Mariela López nos habla de su investigación sobre los teatros independientes en México, incluyendo los desafíos, los beneficios y recomendaciones para cualquiera que quiera crear uno.

joe haj and rob melrose
“Who are you when scared?”
Essay

“Who are you when scared?”

Confidence, Fearlessness, and Artistic Direction

23 June 2019

Artistic directors Joe Haj of Minneapolis’s Guthrie Theater and Rob Melrose of Houston’s Alley Theatre talk about confidence and fearlessness, a company of actors, fighting for the classics, and more.