A collaboration of the Rhode Island Foundation and Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA), the Initiating Equity Work for Small and Volunteer-Led Organizations Program is a capacity building initiative tailored for organizations committed to equity. Designed to address the unique challenges faced by small and volunteer-led organizations, this opt-in program aims to create…
State arts agencies often collaborate with statewide partners to expand their reach, increase capacity, and grow networks of beneficiaries and advocates. The Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) partnership with the Alabama Writers’ Forum (AWF) highlights the potential that strategic, long-term partnerships have for supporting arts and culture. Started in 1993, the Alabama Writers’…
Capital grant programs provide large-dollar funding to support the physical infrastructure of arts and cultural institutions. As a uniquely impactful type of funding, capital improvement grants empower organizations to acquire capital equipment, renovate and restore existing buildings, expand accessibility offerings and construct new spaces to serve as community anchors. With a historic investment by Gov.…
The COVID-19 pandemic sparked significant growth in online arts participation. Even as audiences return to live events, cultural organizations are continuing to use digital platforms to deepen community engagement and make arts programs more accessible to the public. The Vermont Arts Council has launched a new initiative to support continued innovation and expansion in this…
As states continue to support revitalization efforts for the arts sector and strive toward more equitable programming, the Delaware Division of the Arts (DDA) is offering a new opportunity that works toward both of these objectives: the Arts Equity and Innovation Incubator Project. This pilot program, using $1.25 million in new funding, combines technical and…
State arts agencies play a vital role in promoting arts opportunities in rural communities that, while rich in cultural assets and traditions, may face geographic or economic barriers to arts development. The Oklahoma Arts Council and the Tennessee Arts Commission recently launched new grant programs designed to advance rural development through the arts, culture and…
The Wisconsin Arts Board (WAB) is dedicated to supporting to the multitude of diverse communities that make up its constituency. To fulfill WAB’s legislative directive to ensure that at least 5% of annual funding is awarded to minority group members and arts groups, WAB offers the Arts Challenge Initiative Capacity Building Program (ACI). The ACI…
The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) has adopted a new funding model for its Grants for Organizations program that will prioritize funding for smaller arts and culture organizations. The new model was developed after MSAC held public listening sessions, gathered input through a public editor process and researched best practices currently employed by other agencies.…
In January 2021, the state of Massachusetts enacted legislation establishing the Massachusetts COVID-19 Cultural Impact Commission—a special legislative commission charged with developing strategies for the recovery, growth and vitality of the creative sector in the commonwealth. Cochaired by state Sen. Ed Kennedy and state Rep. Carole Fiola, the commission included representation from the Mass Cultural…
State and federal arts funding often is restricted to organizations holding 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service. Many arts groups worthy of public support, however, exist outside of the formal 501(c)(3) business model. The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (KCAIC) has developed an innovative way to assist such organizations by creating purposeful partnerships between…
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