EVALUATION IN ACTION! is a series of four webinars to be presented in the coming months by Animating Democracy, and co-presented by M. Christine Dwyer of RMC Research with guest arts practitioners and evaluators. The goal of the series is to sharpen evaluative thinking and build confidence and can-do capacity in evaluation methods that produce meaningful, useful information.
GIA Blog
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by Steve
From Caroline Preston at The Chronicle of Philanthropy:
Luis Ubiñas, a former McKinsey & Company executive whose 2007 appointment to lead the Ford Foundation came as a surprise to many in philanthropy, announced yesterday that he will step down from the post in September. During his tenure, Mr. Ubiñas refocused the 77-year-old foundation’s grant-making programs and oversaw sharp staff cuts amid the recession.
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From Eleanor Goldberg, writing for Huffington Post:
After noticing that few others were pushing young African-Americans to give charity, Ebonie Johnson Cooper, founder of Friends of Ebonie, started her marketing firm in 2009 to serve as a philanthropic resource for black millennials, according to her website. She's now working on ramping up her efforts through her networking and panel events and her blog to redefine the face of philanthropy by pushing black millennials to give more money to causes, the Washington Post reported.
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by Tommer
A thoughtful overview of the CDP by Talia Gibas and Amanda Keil posted on Createquity.
For all of the predictions flying back and forth about what 2013 holds for the arts and culture sector in the United States, one of the few things we can say with near-certainty is that 2013 will be a year of major transition for the Cultural Data Project (CDP).
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Jesse Rosen blogs for Huffington Post:
I have been reflecting on diversity and orchestras lately, prompted by some work we are doing at the League of American Orchestras and my recent participation in SphinxCon 2013 in Detroit, which examined diversity, inclusion and equity in the arts. Many of you are likely familiar with Aaron Dworkin, the gifted violinist, founder and executive director of the sponsoring non-profit Sphinx Organization. Aaron is one of the important voices in our field today and a colleague who serves as a board member of the League. In a concentrated and cut-to-the-chase fashion, the conference focused on a broad range of current issues, lessons learned, and best practices aimed at transforming the arts in a truly meaningful and measurable way.
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by Tommer
Barry Hessenius is hosting a week-long blog discussion on Research and Data in the Nonprofit universe, with guests Margaret Wyszomirski, Bryce Merrill, Elizabeth Currid-Halkett, Randy Cohen, and Sunil Iyengar.
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Nonprofit Finance Fund has released a new report as well as a set of case studies that share the results of their five-year Leading for the Future: Innovative Support for Artistic Excellence program. The new report, Change Capital in Action: Lessons from Leading Arts Organizations highlights features of the LFF initiative, profiles of individual change efforts, participants' financial and program outcomes, and lessons relevant for arts organizations and their funders. NFF also released ten case studies of the change efforts undertaken by each participant in the program.
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by Abigail
Throughout March our photo banner will feature organizations, initiatives, and individuals supported by GIA member the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. The Commission provides leadership in cultural services for Los Angeles County, including information and comprehensive resources for the community, artists, educators, arts organizations, and municipalities. Below, in their own words, Commission staff reflect on past successes and future promises:
We all know that the past few years have been financially challenging for arts organizations. As we move into 2013, we're all encouraged by the fact that the California State budget is balanced. Budgetary projections for Los Angeles County are looking good, and the general rebound of the economy is sure to shape interesting opportunities for creative growth.
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A letter from Vikki Spruill, president and CEO, Council on Foundations:
Dear Colleagues,
A few minutes ago I shared a message with Council members regarding our redesign. Since I first announced this redesign in December, I have had the opportunity to visit and talk with many of you and share more details about this ongoing transformation. I firmly believe that my efforts to reposition the Council as a network hub will prove successful only if the Council has strong partnerships with funder networks and affinity groups serving our field.
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From Anne Midgette for The Washington Post:
Savoy Elementary is one of eight in the country earmarked by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities as a “turnaround” school — one in dire need of help. For three years, each of the eight is “adopted” by a well-known artist (in Savoy’s case, the actress Kerry Washington) and receives a tremendous funding boost to institute arts programs ($14.7 million for the eight). This is based on a new belief — after years of emphasis on standardized testing — in the power of the arts.