Margins

Several large national foundations have recently announced the end of their arts and cultural funding at a national level. Although it is too early to see whether this is part of a larger trend, it merits discussion since it would effect hundreds of arts organizations. What are the implications – short and long-term – of the decisions of large national funders on the field? Whether borne out by quantitative evidence or not, the perception is that the foundation sector is a place where organizations of color are part of the conversation and can garner support. If national foundations abandon arts funding, will their decisions have a greater effect on organizations of color than on others and, by extension, a greater impact on cultural work of color internationally?

This session was followed by a discussion with award-winning choreographer Donald Byrd about how this topic directly affects his work as an individual artist. Byrd toiled for many years to create, finance, and produce The Harlem Nutcracker. He will show excerpts from the piece and tell of his odyssey in getting funding for and making this work.

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