Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts’ Post

Exciting news 🎉 There is a new donor collaborative in Europe to promote Socially Engaged Arts and they are launching their inaugural fellowship programme. The fellowship is designed to connect and support visionary leaders of arts organisations, driven by community engagement and social change, across Europe. An opportunity to strengthen organisations, enhance leaders’ professional development, and drive impactful advocacy efforts. https://lnkd.in/dMfUr_aK #SociallyEngagedArts Civitates - The European Democracy Fund

A great and innovative program for the right organizations.

St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, in collaboration with Americans for the Arts and Creative Pinellas shared that St. Petersburg’s nonprofit arts industry generated $132,530,557 in economic activity in 2022, according to the newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), an economic and social impact study. This economic activity is comprised of $61,607,918 in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and $70,922,639 in event-related spending by their audiences supported 2,121 jobs and generated $26,529,721 in local, state, and federal government revenue. Imagine what we can do with art investors, at every level - government, business and individual philanthropy. All in, all for the greater good.

🌟 Exciting News Alert! 🌟 I am thrilled to share that a mix of cultural and philanthropic luminaries recently gathered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to raise funds to support young artists. This event was truly a celebration of creativity, and it reaffirms the importance of nurturing and empowering the next generation of artistic talent. 🤝 Collaboration for a Cause: One of the beautiful things about this gathering was the coming together of cultural and philanthropic luminaries. When leaders from different sectors unite for a common cause, amazing things can happen. The collaboration exhibited at this event demonstrates how impactful partnerships can drive change and support young artists in their creative journey. 💡 Nurturing Creativity: Investing in the arts has always been vital for the progress of society. This event not only highlighted the importance of preserving our cultural heritage but also emphasized the significance of fostering new artistic talent. By raising funds for young artists, we are nurturing the future of creative expression and innovation, ensuring that their talent will be recognized and appreciated. 🌟 A Platform for Young Artists: As this event successfully fundraised for young artists, it is highly likely that we will witness an influx of opportunities and initiatives for rising and aspiring talent. Young artists will get more chances to showcase their work, have access to resources, and broaden their network. - It's an exciting time to be a young artist, and I predict that the momentum generated through this event will have a long-lasting impact on the art industry, enabling more young creatives to thrive and follow their dreams. 🚀 Harnessing Technology and Creativity: With the ongoing advancements in technology, we have witnessed new mediums of artistic expression emerging. This event, and others like it, provide an opportunity to blend technology and creativity, opening doors to innovative projects and experiences.

The financial landscape for museums can feel like a constant tightrope walk. Now, add in the uncertainties of a new administration, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed and out of control. One powerful opportunity often overlooked? Your museum store. My latest blog post explores: ⭐ The financial landscape for museums ⭐ Leveraging nonprofit retail as a strategic revenue driver ⭐ The importance of financial resilience in the face of funding challenges Learn the full potential of your museum store and proactively build a sustainable future for your institution. #MuseumRetail #MuseumLeadership #Fundraising #MuseumFinance #Nonprofit

Check out our latest blog for insights on the financial landscape for museums and how your museum store can be a powerful player to diversify your revenue.

Today, Confederation Centre of the Arts launches its $71.5 million Shared Voices campaign in support of its renovation renewal project, now underway in Charlottetown, PEI. This project will create a new cultural leadership institute where: • Important conversations about Canada’s past, present, and future happens • Arts education and opportunities for arts professionals grows • New Canadian performances and visual art are created and shared It’s all about shaping a brighter future for arts, culture, and important discussions in Canada. For more information and to donate visit https://lnkd.in/eVDfe5Rx

The Tulsa Artist Fellowship (TAF), launched in 2015 by the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF), is a charitable organization founded by billionaire philanthropist George B. Kaiser in 1999. From the TAFs inception, its mandate of supporting the arts in Tulsa has created an infrastructure for the arts through housing, subsidized studio spaces, funding for studio assistance, health care stipends, and a $150,000 award for 10 new fellows every year. This sense of community building with an ecosystem for the arts is demonstrated consistently over the weekend of Tulsa Artist Fellowship Open House. Kicking off the weekend is the opening night exhibition “Earthbound: A Dark Sky Exhibit” at TAFs Flagship public project space. While it’s being used for the exhibition tonight, it also operates as a communal space for uses as varied as literary readings, performances, sound installations, screenings, discussions, talks and interviews, workshops and more. The exhibition is in partnership with “Space for Us”, an organization dedicated to making STEAM resources and careers in space sciences more visible and accessible to underserved communities, while promoting dark sky protection and advocacy. I wrote about the TAF and exhibition for Whitehot Magazine #Art #Artists https://lnkd.in/eGHimE-m

I just tripped over this blog by Alan Harrison, that is hosted on the artsjournal website. I found his provocative writing interesting because he shares a perspective with me –that within the not for profit theatre sector, many companies put a priority on their own growth, over serving the needs of their Community. "The difference between artists and arts organizations, as discussed in the books Scene Change and Scene Change 2, is that artists make magic and arts organizations make money. Nonprofit arts organizations, which are supposed to be different in nature than commercial art (but, so often, choose to believe that the presentation of art is somehow a charitable activity – it is not), have made the error in judgment to produce as their commercial counterparts would. They measure their success not by how much better the community is — in either social service, community activism, social justice initiatives, or just helping out poor people — but by reviews from the press, ticket sales, and all the wealthy donors’ names on the walls. Vainglory doesn’t come close to describing the idea that an “artistic vision” somehow is a charitable goal, but pulling people out of despair is not. And, as we’ve stated on numerous occasions, that’s why the money is drying up. To nonprofit arts organization leaders: stop blaming the pandemic. Stop blaming the audiences. Stop blaming everyone else. Look straight in the mirror, even if you inherited the dysfunction. ...artists: try to understand that you are more important to your community than the organization that may or may not hire you for a job. You have more leverage than you think. When other companies have chosen the path of community-centrism, they have provided more artists jobs than ever. Nonprofit arts organizations that do work that improves the community generally are happier and more fulfilling places to work than a simple gig could offer. And the need is constant for creative ways to solve your community’s biggest problems. To put it another way: if all the nonprofit arts organizations were to close in your community, who would suffer? In the short term, a lot of people, including artists. In the long term, artists would find ways to team up, collaborate, and use their skill sets to create art in response to the community, not in spite of it. If all the artists in a community were to suddenly leave, who would suffer? Everyone. There is no community without creativity. There is no business without creativity. And, of course, there is no art without creativity. Take advantage of that. As an artist, you deserve to be heard."

In Conversation with Stephanie Ybarra: The State of Nonprofit Theater in America In a recent conversation, Stephanie Ybarra, Program Officer at the Mellon Foundation, offered insights into the state of nonprofit theater—highlighting the longstanding financial pressures, the future of nonprofit arts organizations, and the emerging possibilities for the sector. It's a reality that many of us enjoy the arts daily, yet arts workers often find themselves justifying the value of their work. This can be frustrating, especially as rising costs affect both creators and audiences. The arts are deeply woven into the fabric of humanity, fuel the economy, and inspire personal and collective growth. These are just some of the reasons we continue advocating for the arts as a social good essential for everyone’s wellbeing. After all, could you imagine a world without art? Of course, the arts have historically catered to wealthy donors, who, knowingly or not, often shape decisions. However, as Stephanie notes, many organizations are shifting this focus to prioritize community engagement—valuing the everyday person rather than a select few. This reminds us that the arts thrive on mutual support: they need us as much as we need them. Nonprofit theaters, in particular, have the opportunity to serve entire communities, breaking away from exclusivity to foster inclusivity. This transformation touches on more than just audiences and fundraising. It impacts marketing, policy, leadership, and cultural understanding. When organizations focus on holistic, authentic connections—both within and beyond the art itself—everyone can truly thrive. As Stephanie wisely points out, libraries often serve as "third spaces" for communities, functioning as vital hubs within municipal structures. Nonprofit theaters can learn from this model, providing space and support for their communities in new and innovative ways. For more of Stephanie's thoughts and examples of theaters rising to meet the challenges of today, check out the full interview linked below. #Arts #Culture #Theater #Nonprofits #Community #Economy #Future #Development #Policy #AudienceEngagement #ThirdSpace