Patti Kameya, PhD’s Post

I recently came across Alan Harrison's post, "The Mellon Foundation Did a Nice Thing. Next Time, Look at Where the Action Is." It sparked reflections on the state of philanthropy and the dynamics within the arts community. 🔹 It's evident that there's a tendency to gravitate towards established names and proven results (in the world of philanthropy). However, this often means smaller, innovative organizations miss out on much-needed support. We must recognize that every large organization started small, and the bootstrap mentality isn't always feasible when survival hinges on financial backing. 🔹 While the artistic elements of our organizations are vital, we can't ignore the pressing issues of our time. Arts organizations must be intersectional, addressing societal challenges like government, war, gun violence, and hate. As Atlanta's Out of Hand Theater realized, sometimes what a community truly needs is justice, not just another theater company. 🔹 I believe arts organizations should actively engage with and perform in the communities they serve. Why not take performances to local venues, festivals, or block parties? This fosters connections on the community's terms, moving beyond the notion of "build it, and they will come." 🔹 Scaling and sustainability are often discussed in broad terms, but what about thriving at the local level? There's immense value in being content with local impact and nurturing strong community ties. 🔹 We need to shift our support towards organizations where service work is integral, not just an add-on for funding purposes. Genuine community impact should drive our efforts, not just compliance with grant requirements. 🔹 Chris, a commenter, pointed out that grant-making processes often force organizations into a box, dictating programs and goals that may not align with their true mission, hindering genuine community engagement and innovation. Read Alan's post for more. #Arts #Culture #Philanthropy #Foundations #Leadership #Experimentation #Scale #Sustainability #Relevancy #AudienceEngagement #CommunityEngagement #Service #Education #Grantmaking #Intersectionality #Innovation

“In 2021, foundations showed us that they can do better. Moving forward, funding for the Global Majority must be more proactive than reactive.” - Mia Hooper The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council recently released its latest report, "A Second Look: Racial Equity and Arts Funding in Greater Pittsburgh," offering critical insights into the state of arts grantmaking in the region. After diving into the report, here are my key takeaways: 🎢 Racial Equity as a Rollercoaster: Like trends that peak and fade, racial equity efforts often fluctuate, clashing with the entrenched system of white supremacy. “DEAIJ is not a fad and should not be treated as such. Black lives shouldn’t have to be sacrificed for foundations to feel compelled to fund Black art.” - Dr. Amber Epps 🔄 Consistency in Ethical Action: Just as with accessibility, embedding and maintaining ethical practices yields long-term rewards. Consistency in racial equity funding is crucial. 📊 Robust Data: To drive meaningful change, datasets must be comprehensive. However, with many Global Majority organizations being smaller, how can we ensure data is substantial enough to reflect the needed transformation? 🧩 Beyond Cookie-Cutter Approaches: Foundations are essential, but organizations and individuals must avoid "cookie-cutter" solutions. Instead, they should cultivate practices that foster true belonging. What does “belonging” mean in this context? 🤝 Transformational Relationships: Beyond attendance, revenue, and optics, what does racial equity truly mean to these organizations? We must explore its meaning beyond capitalism, while still recognizing the scarcity in the field. 🌱 Reimagining Abundance: What does abundance look like in the context of racial equity in arts funding? 💰 Philanthropic Reparations: Could philanthropies embrace their own form of reparations—providing money without the burden of applications? This serves as a reminder that equity does not equate to fairness, but justice. #Arts #Culture #Philanthropy #Race #Equity #Justice #Grantmaking #Inclusion #Diversity #SocialImpact #NonProfit #CommunityEngagement #Funding #SocialJustice #Advocacy

Wythe County groups receive VCA grantsThe VCA announces grant allocations totaling more than $5.1 million into communities, arts organizations, and arts-centric programs across the Commonwealth of Virginia for FY25. Grant allocations for FY25 feature: • 151 General Operating Support for Medium and Large Organizations (GOS) Grants, bolstering arts organizations to continue, strengthen, and expand arts experiences that benefit all Virginians. • 86 Operating Support Small Grants, increasing support for small and emerging arts organizations central to the vibrancy of Virginia’s communities. • 108 Creative Community Partnership Grants, catalyzing matching funds exceeding $5.3 million from localities and providing funding for more than 240 arts organizations. • ...

🎨 The Rutherford Arts Alliance (RAA), a local arts advocacy non-profit, has rolled out the Arts Economic and Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study results for 2022-2023. 🎭 🖼️ ♫ 🎻AEP6 is the largest and most inclusive study of its kind. It documents the economic and social contributions of arts and culture in 373 communities and regions representing all 50 states and Puerto Rico. In Rutherford County, the report shows that the arts supported 915 jobs, generated $9,476,808 in local, state, and federal tax revenue, and attracted 2,109 volunteers. It goes further to report that the average person spent $37.97 per event, beyond the cost of admission, on things such as dining out, parking, and childcare. And those visiting from outside the county spent more: 24.4% of attendees were nonlocal visitors who spent an average of $57.24. View the full report at: https://lnkd.in/etU3Dd6Z

Heartfelt gratitude to Carlos García León and Community-Centric Fundraising for sharing, things that resonate with the realities many of us face in the arts and culture sector. Carlos's candid reflection captures the essence of our shared experiences—the moments of existential crisis amidst the chaos of a world where the arts often seem sidelined, and the relentless pressure of navigating within a system that doesn't always prioritize the transformative power of creativity. As Carlos puts it, "Every few weeks, I go into an existential crisis at the state of the world...typical stuff." Yes, the arts hold the potential to ground us in difficult times, serving as beacons of hope and catalysts for change. Yet, we struggle with a systemic wealth disparity that stifles dreams and deprives communities of access to the cultural nuggets we tirelessly advocate for. Carlos sheds light on the complexities of community engagement within predominantly white institutions (PWIs), where genuine connection with communities too often takes a back seat to profit-driven agendas. His experiences as a fundraiser, educator, and advocate underscore the urgent need to prioritize community voices and dismantle barriers to access. In a post-George Floyd era, as nonprofits strive to broaden their reach, Carlos reminds us to tread carefully, mindful of our intentions and the impact of our actions. Communities deserve more than token gestures—they deserve authentic engagement and meaningful representation. As we navigate these challenges, Carlos's call to center community perspectives resonates loudly. It's a reminder that our efforts must be driven by a genuine desire to uplift and empower, not by the whims of donors or the pressures of the status quo. Yes, working in the arts and culture sector can be disheartening at times. We may not be directly solving hunger, poverty, or systemic injustices, but we are enriching lives, challenging perceptions, and sparking moments of joy and inspiration. In a world scarred by inequity and strife, the arts offer comfort, connection, and a glimpse of a brighter future. Let us focus on community-centric approaches, amplify the voices historically marginalized, and honor the transformative power of creativity. For in the arts, we find not just entertainment, but a reflection of our shared humanity—a reminder that, amidst the chaos, our stories matter, and our voices deserve to be heard. #Arts #Culture #Nonprofits #Learning #Education #ArtsOrganizations #Philanthropy #Community #Capitalism #Sociopolitical #CommunityEngagement #AudienceEngagement #Advocacy #DEI #IndustrialComplex #Donors #Humanity

For anyone not familiar with nonprofit arts budgets, please be clear: the price of your ticket typically covers 20-30% of the cost of your seat. And that’s for the show you choose to see. Grant funding covers the ability for arts organizations to take risks with the art many people don’t see. To create theater and dance and sculpture that challenges its viewer to think. To critique. To see the world differently. Make no mistake—what Florida has done is not purely a budget cut. It is state-sanctioned censorship masked as fiscal prudency. It’s Crappy Funding Practices without even pretending not to be.

In a past collaboration with Bloomingdale School Of Music's Diversity Task Force, Vida Manalang and I proposed appointing a Student Representative to their board. This role would provide leadership with direct access to student voices, needs, and recommendations, ensuring that their perspectives were part of decision-making. We, just like this article, stressed the importance of avoiding tokenism by not relegating younger members to “junior” boards, but giving them full participation. Currently, only 30% of nonprofit board members are under 45 (Independent Sector, 2024), and those under 35 are especially rare. This highlights a broader issue across many organizations, especially in education-focused ones, where student input should be stressed. To support this shift, we provided key considerations: 🔹 Who should be appointed? A young student? An adult student? Both? 🔹 What’s the student’s role? (i.e. give/get expectations)? 🔹 How do you prepare them? For example, mentorship between older and younger members is essential, fostering collaboration and perspective. 🔹 What’s their level of involvement? (i.e. Board Meeting Attendance) Bloomingdale’s mission of providing open access to high-quality music education underscores the importance of student voice in shaping its future. As the arts and culture landscape grows more diverse, it’s vital that students not only learn but have the agency to discuss, create, and play music that resonates with their lived experiences. Dialogue between students and board members can bridge that gap. Additionally, younger board members bring ideas and build trust with younger generations—a critical demographic for nonprofits. It’s not just about having new voices, it’s about preparing for the future and ensuring sustainability. Lisa Greer, the author of this attached article, offers strategies for recruiting and engaging younger board members, including rethinking qualifications, offering flexible financial expectations, and creating leadership pathways through mentorship. These approaches can ensure a vibrant and diverse board ready to tackle today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities. By thoughtfully embracing generational diversity, we can build stronger, more resilient organizations. #Arts #Culture #Boards #Nonprofits #YouthLeadership #Mentorship #GenerationalDiversity #Philanthropy #Relationships

Findings in a new Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber report indicate the arts and culture sector had a total economic impact of $1.6 billion on Greater Cincinnati’s economy over the past four years, affecting areas such as job creation, tourism and professional opportunities for underrepresented communities. However, a group of local arts and economic experts cautioned that those numbers are at a risk of declining in the years ahead if the region doesn’t increase the number of donors and arts-backers. The study specifically mentions the importance of upping the amount of giving through the annual ArtsWave fundraising campaign.

Our partners at Inspire Washington have published their 2024 Cultural Futures report. In addition to their helpful program data, Executive Director, Manuel Cawaling, sheds light on important takeaways for everyone working toward a brighter future: "In every town we visited, we saw clear and uplifting examples of cultural programming at the center of community life. We also saw many under-resourced organizations and programs struggling with huge problems like staffing shortages, inflation, skyrocketing expenses, and sluggish revenue growth. The pandemic may be over but our sector is still recovering. The non-profit model is evolving and we’re wrestling with a dramatic shift in the public’s behavior." #ChangeMakers #artsadvocacy #artseducationmatters #communityimpact https://lnkd.in/g8ePcRz7

The arts enrich our lives in so many ways and they also drive Arizona’s economy. In 2022, the #nonprofit arts accounted for about $1.1 billion in direct economic activity in metro #Phoenix, according to The Arts & Economic Prosperity, a national study that is conducted approximately every five years by Americans for the Arts. The economic impact translated into 19,427 jobs, $775.6 million in personal income to residents, and $226.1 million in tax revenue to local, state, and federal government. https://lnkd.in/gb-Vg4Xs