Grantmakers in the Arts

From Open Society Foundations: "This discussion about the restitution of Ngonnso to the Nso community, hosted by the Open Society Foundations Global Initiative for the Restitution of African Cultural Heritage and Open Society grantee SySy House of Fame, features African cultural heritage activist Sylvie Njobati and researcher María Leonor Pérez Ramírez discussing the power of civil society empowerment and the work which led to this historic event."

"How can we stop the world from burning? For many years, I responded to that question as an environmental advocate," said author Manisha Bapna for Orion

"In our fight against climate change, my colleagues and I employ hard-edged tools such as legislation, policy, and litigation—all informed by science and real-world impacts on people and nature. But as the Anthropocene accelerates and our time runs out to set the world on a more sustainable and equitable course, I have come to recognize that these tools alone cannot change the world fast enough to save it."

Communities across Eastern Kentucky and Southwest Virginia are devastated by intense and ongoing flooding, with more storms looming. At least 30 people have died, hundreds remain missing, and countless others have lost their homes and belongings in the waters. Kentucky Gov. Beshear estimates it may take months to restore running water there, and excessive heat and infrastructure damage will pose further threats once the floods subside.

From authors Shaena Johnson and Marni Rosen for The Katalay Foundation: "Participatory grantmaking can be a powerful tool to center the experiences and expertise of people who have deep knowledge of the issue areas in which grants are being made. It is also a process that comes with unique needs for support. Foundations that are engaging with participatory grantmaking must be aware of how their institutional practices do — and do not — set participants and grantees up for success."

This week on the NEA Art Works podcast, they discuss, "investing in the creative economy from two perspectives." The first, Laura Callanan, founding partner of Upstart Co-Lab, and then Sheoyki Jones, founding program manager of Creative Industries.

"As the co-founder and co-CEO of Be Nimble Foundation, Kelli Jones saw the need for more philanthropic support for Black organizations long before the pandemic tightened budgets," said author Jayden Kennett for the Indianapolis Recorder."Coming out of the pandemic, she’s seen the money and resources that Black organizations had been begging for."

From NEA: "In June 2021, the National Endowment for the Arts published Tech as Art: Supporting Artists Who Use Digital Technology as a Creative Medium. This report is the culmination of a nearly two-year research study into artists whose practices are rooted in digital technologies. Launched in partnership with the Knight Foundation and Ford Foundation, with research conducted by 8 Bridges Workshop and Dot Connector Studio, the report explores the broad spectrum of tech-centered artistic practice, as well as the networks, career paths, and hubs of activity that support this work."

From NALAC (National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures) President and CEO, María López De León:

"Dear NALAC Familia,

I am transitioning out of my leadership role in the fall of 2022. I have worked at the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) for twenty-four years. The experience of working with you to support and illuminate the creativity and cultural expressions of our communities has impacted my life.

It has been a great honor to serve the Latine arts and culture community and support your work. Your creativity and vision drive NALAC’s mission, and there is still much more work to be done. It is time for me to make way for a new generation of leadership to propel NALAC into the future.