From authors Shaena Johnson and Marni Rosen for The Katalay Foundation: “Participatory grantmaking can be a powerful tool to center the experiences and expertise of people who have deep knowledge of the issue areas in which grants are being made. It is also a process that comes with unique needs for support. Foundations that are engaging with participatory grantmaking must be aware of how their institutional practices do — and do not — set participants and grantees up for success.”

“I have also built trust through my ability to relate to the movement and organizational experiences of many of our grantee staff, due to my own lived experience,” said Johnson. “Having the ability to discuss ‘hard’ internal issues with executive directors and support staff has proven effective in building trust, as grantees have acknowledged that most institutions do not provide that additional support.”

“Time, availability, and ability to relate to grantees while shifting our systems to accompany our grantees in their work has all proven to help in repairing and rebuilding our relationships with our grantees.”

Read the full article here.

From NEA: “In June 2021, the National Endowment for the Arts published Tech as Art: Supporting Artists Who Use Digital Technology as a Creative Medium. This report is the culmination of a nearly two-year research study into artists whose practices are rooted in digital technologies. Launched in partnership with the Knight Foundation and Ford Foundation, with research conducted by 8 Bridges Workshop and Dot Connector Studio, the report explores the broad spectrum of tech-centered artistic practice, as well as the networks, career paths, and hubs of activity that support this work.”

“This brief summary report highlights a wide-ranging set of near- and long-term action steps aimed at supporting the arts and technology field identified during regional roundtables. Beyond the breadth of topics and types of actions, these suggestions are directed at a variety of potential leaders, from funders to arts service organizations, arts institutions, academic programs, arts and technology hubs, city and state governments, and community organizations. No one entity can do it all.”

Read the full report here.

“The Music Man Foundation has a history of providing support to organizations advocating for positive changes in the arts, whether it be for increased public funding to arts programs, support for policy changes, the conducting or dissemination of new research, or increasing public will in support of the arts. We have partnered with select dedicated organizations working on a regional, statewide, or national level.”

“This year, the Foundation will be distributing invitations for its advocacy grants more widely, as it aims to support systemic change via empowering organizations working at the intersection of music, learning, and well-being. Organizations must be able to identify the system it seeks to impact, demonstrate why it is well-positioned to take on this system change, and show evidence of progress toward achieving sustainable solutions. We anticipate grants will support activities such as:

research and policy analysis that promote the need for arts (specifically music) to change and improve circumstances,
cross-sector initiatives which cultivate allies and build bridges between the arts and other interest groups,
advocacy training and tools which build the capacity of arts and cultural leaders to understand and proactively influence issues impacting the arts and community vitality, and/or
designing solutions which shift the circumstances within a system to promote efficiency and sustainability.”

The deadline for this fund is Friday, October 31 at 11:59pm PT. Learn more about the application here.

From NALAC (National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures) President and CEO, María López De León:

“Dear NALAC Familia,

I am transitioning out of my leadership role in the fall of 2022. I have worked at the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) for twenty-four years. The experience of working with you to support and illuminate the creativity and cultural expressions of our communities has impacted my life.

It has been a great honor to serve the Latinx arts and culture community and support your work. Your creativity and vision drive NALAC’s mission, and there is still much more work to be done. It is time for me to make way for a new generation of leadership to propel NALAC into the future.

I want to thank the innumerable NALAC colleagues and the many supporters I have worked with who make NALAC’s work possible, as none of this could have been done without them.

I have been fortunate to work with many powerful and committed NALAC colleagues to promote leadership development, establish a national grant fund, advocate, organize, and build a national network. I remember working alongside one of NALAC’s founders, Pedro Rodriguez, dreaming up the NALAC Leadership Institute (NLI) and sitting with Rosalba Rolón to create the NALAC Advocacy Institute (ALI). I also value my time with Abel López, Charles Rice-Gonzalez, Judy Baca, Tony Garcia, Tomás Ybarra Frausto, Alice Valdez, Clyde Valentine, Jesse Bermudez, Maribel Álvarez, Roberta Uno and others imagining the NALAC Fund for the Arts. I am grateful for also being a founding partner of the Intercultural Leadership Institute (ILI) with Lori Pourier, Vicky Takamine, and Carlton Turner.

I appreciate the trust and support many of you have shown me as I helped guide and expand NALAC’s impact. I am excited for a new era of leadership to take NALAC to new heights.

I will miss all of you and am confident you will continue making a difference for the national Latinx arts community. Move forward into the future with integrity and dignity, optimistic about the ancestral knowledge you carry. I look forward to witnessing the great strides you all will make and continuing our friendship and camaraderie.

Thank you all for making the last twenty-four years at NALAC an absolute pleasure. Always remember that you have a home here at NALAC.

With love and gratitude,
María López De León
President and CEO”

From NASAA: “The State Arts Agency Legislative Appropriations Preview has released a report forecasting government funding for the arts for fiscal year 2023. The data reported was collected before most states began their new fiscal year on July 1, 2022. On average, governors’ proposed state budgets include a 4.2% increase in general fund spending, with revenue forecasts increasing by 1.4%. Total legislative appropriations to state arts agencies are projected to decline by 2.9%.”

“This report provides a forecast of state government funding for the arts in fiscal year 2023. Data presented were collected before most states began a new fiscal year on July 1, 2022.”

“As of July 28, 2022, 48 states have enacted budgets for FY2023. Many states will revisit enacted budgets in the coming months to adjust for shifting revenue and expense conditions.”

Read the full report here.