“There shouldn’t be anything controversial about drag, a multidisciplinary art form that weaves together fashion, acting, song, and dance,” said Beatrice Thomas and Lane Harwell for the Chronicle of Philanthropy. “From the time of Shakespeare, when female roles were performed by men, to the vaudeville circuit and the Harlem Renaissance, drag has been a means of expression that cuts across history, cultures, and continents.”

But not only is it a mode of performance and a way to promote tolerance — it’s also a paycheck. As queer artists and leaders of programs that promote creative expression, we consider drag essential to who we are and central to the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and gender justice.

We envision a world where kids love themselves, support their peers, and stand up for what they believe in. That’s why drag performance should be shared with young people. Yet in August and September alone, protests erupted over drag story hours in communities from California — the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego — to Edinburgh, Scotland and Winnipeg, Canada.

That’s not coincidental — it’s strategic. The retaliation against drag artists is part of a broader, well-coordinated movement against LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, and people of color to regulate the conduct of everyone deemed abnormal. Drag is a lightning rod because it defies traditional norms.

Any philanthropic strategy to protect democracy should include funding for drag. Criminalizing one form of creative expression sets a harmful precedent that makes all art forms potentially vulnerable.

That’s why we’re not advocating for separate philanthropic programming to address drag. Since drag touches multiple issues, it should be included in existing programs in areas such as arts, culture, education, civic engagement, workers’ rights, and economic justice.

Read the full piece here.

From the University of Michigan Dearborn: Do you know UM-Dearborn alumni who are making a positive impact like these Alumni Difference Makers? Our alumni are “difference makers” who have continued the university’s legacy of leadership in their lives and careers through their contributions to the university and community. You are invited to join us in honoring deserving UM-Dearborn graduates at this year’s 2023 Alumni Difference Makers Awards ceremony during Homecoming week.

We are excited to uplift GIA Board Chair Sharnita Johnson on receiving the 2023 Graduate of the Last Decade Alumnus of the Year. 

View the full list of winners here.

From ADC Consulting: Primarily serving individual artists and artmaking entities, ASOs frequently provide the greatest benefits to the least resourced artists and groups through capacity building, networking, advocacy, grantmaking, arts education, and/or industry research.

The importance of this role became more pronounced during the pandemic, as ASOs became first responders to a crumbling arts economy and an avalanche of needs, the most pressing coming from individual arts workers who immediately lost work both inside and outside of the arts and were unable to pay for basic necessities.

A better understanding of their story, typology framework, service roster, support structure and ongoing evolution is necessary as the field recovers and transforms.

Learn more about their research here.

From the Hewlett Foundation: The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation announced that Tom DeCaigny will join the foundation as a Program Officer with the Performing Arts Program. Tom will manage a diverse portfolio of grants that support communities, artists, and youth throughout the Bay Area, with a particular focus on arts education policy and advocacy. He will start on January 9, 2024.

Tom brings more than 20 years of accomplished leadership in grantmaking, policy, and advocacy to his new role. Most recently, he served as the executive director of Create CA, a statewide organization that ensures every California student receives a quality arts education. Previously, he was executive director of the California Alliance for Arts Education, which merged with Create CA in 2021.

Learn more about his appointment here.

“Minnesota is known for its lively arts and culture scene, but a strong arts culture doesn’t just happen by accident. It takes loyal audiences and organizations that support the arts,” Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom for MPRNews. “One of the key funding organizations for artists in Minnesota is the Jerome Foundation, a private foundation that’s been around since the 1960s. Hundreds of Minnesota filmmakers, playwrights, choreographers, poets and other artists got a boost early in their career through a Jerome Foundation grant.”

“And while some other private foundations are pulling back from funding the arts, Jerome Foundation is doubling down in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic with support for new artists and the organizations that nurture them.”   

“MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the Jerome Foundation’s new CEO and president Eleanor Savage about what the foundation does and its new focus on equity.”

Listen to the full episode here.

From The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation: Our investments are guided by the fundamental belief in the power of live theatre to spark dialogue, bring different viewpoints together on challenging subjects, and provide a lens to process the critical issues of contemporary society.  

Through our annual Social Impact Theatre Grant Program, we proudly recognize organizations that are intentional and innovative in engaging with their audiences around these issues, and are committed to reaching new audiences. We support theatres in Western states that are igniting positive changes in their communities through the programming they bring to life on stage. 

Learn more about the program here.

From Whippoorwill Arts: In 2020, we embarked on multi-phase research efforts with these guiding questions in mind: All with a focus on live performance – something no new technology will ever replace – also the main source of income and a fulfillment of deep desire for working musicians.

We tackled these questions working together with musicians from diverse backgrounds, music fans and presenters, arts/music funders, professional membership organizations, union organizers and activists, and scientists and researchers. Ours has been a broadly collaborative project incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion as means toward increased community support, a greater degree of dignity, and ultimately, a stronger sense of belonging.

This is Version 1.0 of the Guidelines, a living document that we will continue to revisit, workshop and revise with allies and community partners as needed over time. So we encourage you to share your feedback as well through this short survey. Whippoorwill Arts is available and eager to work with organizations one-on-one to plan ways to transform their practices and relationships with working musicians – so we all benefit.

You can access the full resource here.