For the month of October, GIA’s photo banner features work from arts organizations supported by The Kresge Foundation. Established by Sebastian S. Kresge in 1924, the $3.5 billion foundation works nationally to “establish opportunities in America’s cities through grantmaking and social investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development in Detroit.” The Kresge Foundation is the proud Anchor Sponsor for the 2017 GIA Conference happening this month in Detroit, Michigan.
GIA Blog
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by Monica
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation has announced the appointment of Kathy Halbreich as its new executive director. Halbreich currently serves as associate director of The Museum of Modern Art. She brings to the foundation more than 30 years of experience leading cultural institutions, a fundamental belief in the power of artists to catalyze social change, and a deep commitment to the role artist foundations can play in expanding opportunities for cultural conversation. The appointment is effective November 1, 2017.
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A study commissioned by ArtPlace America and conducted by Transportation for America explores seven of the most pressing challenges facing the transportation sector today and identifies how arts and culture contribute to solutions. The document is one of several field scans commissioned by ArtPlace to explore how arts and culture can partner with other sectors in community planning and development.
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by Steve
New on the GIA Podcast, we speak with 2017 GIA Conference committee chair Regina Smith of The Kresge Foundation and committee member and Detroit native Sharnita Johnson of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. They share about you may not already know about the Motor City, what to expect when visiting the city, and what they are excited about for the upcoming conference.
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The William Penn Foundation announced today the appointment of Judilee Reed as the organization’s new program director of Creative Communities. Reed will oversee a $30 million annual grant portfolio, which includes investments in core support for arts and culture organizations, arts education, and expanding access to high quality public spaces and arts and cultural opportunities in neighborhoods throughout the city. Reed brings national expertise to Philadelphia, having spent the last six years as director of the Surdna Foundation’s Thriving Cultures program in New York City.
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In a letter from its board chair, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) announced that Executive Director Philip Horn will retire from his position effective January 2018:
Philip came from California to become Executive Director in 1993. Under his leadership the PCA has gained a reputation as a national leader among state arts agencies through a range of achievements and innovations, including:
Developing the PCA’s Regional Partnerships and Initiatives to form a robust statewide arts infrastructure through the decentralization of PCA grants, teaching artist residencies, and services through an engaged network of partner organizations.
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The Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) and The California Endowment (TCE) have released the first report in a series exploring the connections between traditional arts and cultural practices and community well-being. The report is a case study examining Engaging Cultural Assets Pilot Project in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, work funded by TCE and conducted by ACTA.
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In February 2017, the Greater Washington Community Foundation (Washington, DC) in partnership with the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, established the Resilience Fund to respond to the critical needs of nonprofits working to support our region’s vulnerable communities as a result of changes in federal policy. To date, we have surpassed our $500,000 fundraising … Continue reading The Resilience Fund
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From the Houston Chronicle:
The Houston Arts Alliance has hired a nationally-known figure with a strong background in arts education as its next CEO.
Board chair Philamena Baird announced that John Abodeely, former acting executive director for the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, will become the alliance's new leader on Nov. 6. His "experience, skill and high energy" are just what the city and the alliance need, she said.
During his four years with the President's Committee, Abodeely oversaw strategy and operations for four pillar programs, managed a $4 million fundraising program, and directed the first bilateral government delegation to Cuba. He also co-designed an innovative program that integrated arts to boost academic achievement and increase student engagement.
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The Washington Post has published an interactive and multimedia article that explores what happens in the human brain when watching a ballet performance:
Scientists studying various aspects of the arts believe certain components especially excite the brain. Neuroscientist V.S. Ramachandran proposes several universal laws of art, or common patterns found in works of art across time and cultures. These principles powerfully activate our visual centers. In theory, they tap into evolved survival responses.