Grantmakers in the Arts

(2-8-2011) According to the website of the Alliance of Artists Communities, an umbrella group, more than 800 artists colonies exist around the world "supporting today's artist in the creation of new work essential to human progress — not as a luxury, not as a leisure activity, but as a vital and necessary force in society."

(2-5-2011) The New York Times reports on the Knight Foundation's Random Acts of Culture program.

(2-4-11) Charles Isherwood in the NYTimes, "Rocco Landesman probably doesn’t need a new nickname, but it’s tempting to give him one anyway: Cowboy Mouth." And that's just the opening sentence.

(2-3-2011) From Gizmodo.com:

(2-2-2011) Henry L. Berman has been selected to lead the Association of Small Foundations by the organizations Board of Directors. An ASF member since 2003, ASF board member from 2008–2010, and ASF acting CEO for the past seven months, Berman has served on ASF’s development, membership, and governance committees.

(1-31-2011) Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, stirred up emotions, which enflamed the blogosphere at a conference on new play development held at Arena Stage, Washington D.C. last week. He talked about the demand from audiences for theatre being down and the supply being up. He mentioned that small grants may be inhibiting the growth of professional theatre artists since they do little to provide a living wage.

(1-31-2001) Rocco Landesman posted clarification and expansion of his ideas on supply and demand in the nonprofit arts on the NEA Art Works blog today.

(1-31-2011) The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation (first announced on this blog in April of last year) is slated to have assets exceeding $4 billion as Cargill's shares in the Cargill agribusiness fortune are liquidated and transferred over the next four-five years. The Foundation will prioritize Native American culture, folk art, environmental disaster relief, and securing safe drinking water for developing nations. The distribution of assets among these funding areas remains to be determined.