55 Ideas on Ideas
View more OpenOffice presentations from Ricardo Sosa.

The latest in a series of reports on California Arts education from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and research firm SRI International, An Unfinished Canvas: Local Partnerships in Support of Arts Education explores the role of partnerships in California between local arts organizations and school districts in supporting elementary arts education. Also highlighted is [...]

NEW RESEARCH ON ARTS ED AND NEUROSCIENCE

Just like real life, it isn’t a simple as one might think, but the research into the connections between arts education and cognition is gaining increased respect.
There aren’t many conclusions yet that can be translated into the classroom, but there is an emerging interdisciplinary field between education and neuroscience. Like Hopkins, Harvard also has created [...]

IF THERE’S MONEY TO BE HAD, WHY YES, A ZOO IS AN ARTS ORGANIZATION

Or so it would seem to some members of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
It took seven years of toil for advocates to get a constitutional amendment passed that would provide a steady source of funding for arts and cultural endeavors in Minnesota. Now, a battle is brewing at the Capitol over who should get the [...]

SURVIVAL STRATEGIES FOR THE ARTS

John Killacky, artist and arts funder, not only knows that we need the arts now more than ever, but gives us ten survival strategies for arts organizations and one for audience members — and reminds us that all of us are audience members.
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COMMUNITY ARTS GATHERING AT THE WHITE HOUSE

A number of leaders in community arts were invited to a briefing for White House staff on Tuesday, organized by Claudine Brown of the Nathan Cummings Foundation. In her words…
Every day, artists and organizers apply their knowledge and creativity to the actions that make democracy concrete; and we perceive this as a favorable moment to [...]

ROCCO LANDESMAN CHOSEN TO HEAD NEA

FROM TODAY’S NYTIMES:
Rocco Landesman, the colorful theatrical producer and race-track aficionado who brought hits like “Big River,” “Angels in America” and “The Producers” to Broadway, has been nominated as the next chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, the White House said on Tuesday.
The appointment, which is expected to be announced on Wednesday, surprised [...]

THE ARBITRARY ART GRANT: ARBITRARY, SMALL, REAL

Yes, it is for real.
Founded in 2000 by Artists For a Work Free America and Vital 5 Productions, The Arbitrary Art Grants were designed to fortify the arts community, and to reinforce the ideology that all people are artists and catalysts for creating large-scale group performances. The grants stand as a testament that $500.00 can [...]

PHILANTHROPY IN HARD TIMES

Paul Brest and Hal Harvey in the Fenton Report:

First, we need to stay focused on the commitments and long-term strategies we have already adopted. Whether we are working to improve the life chances of disadvantaged children, mitigate the catastrophic consequences of climate change, or alleviate poverty in Africa, these problems will be with us over [...]

ARTIST TRUST SURVEY OF ARTISTS IN THE RECESSION

Artist Trust has just released this unique survey of over 700 artists in Washington state. Hear their stories in their own voices.
How are artists managing in this economy? We wanted to know, so from March 15 to April 15, 2009, Artist Trust distributed an online survey to its constituents of individual artists throughout Washington State [...]

ANDREW TAYLOR ON MERGERS…

Thoughtful comments of Andrew Taylor of The Artful Manager and the Bolz Center for Arts Administration on the topic of mergers and one funder’s innovative approach.
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COUNCIL ON FOUNDATION RESEARCH REPORT ON FOUNDATION GIVING IN 2009

What is not discussed in the report is as revealing as what is.
Download the Report

NEW IBP RESEARCH CORRELATES DATA ON EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

This is truly amazing!

ALBERT RUESGA OFFERS SOME THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS ON THE PHILANTHROPY AT ITS BEST KERFLUFFLE

If you don’t regularly read White Courtesy Telephone, you might want to add it to your bloglist.
I understand, however, that behind each of these exhortations lies a beating heart. Behind the plea to give more to the poor is the uncomfortably reality of deep poverty in our own country. And set against [...]

CHECK OUT THE C.O.F. CONFERENCE BLOG

A variety of voices from the Council of Foundations Conference and beyond are discussing ideas raised at the conference.
Join the Conversation

WALLACE FOUNDATION AWARDS $6.35 MILLION TO SUPPORT HIGH-QUALITY OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME LEARNING

The Wallace Foundation has announced grants totaling $6.35 million to support three nonprofits to increase access to high-quality learning.
“A focus on high-quality out-of-school time programs in cities and states across the country is gaining momentum, and these grants are part of our efforts to build on progress that has been made,” said Wallace Foundation [...]

PACE WEBINAR – CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND THE ARTS: RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE 2008 NATIONAL ARTS POLICY ROUNDTABLE

PACE invites members and network affiliates to Civic Engagement and the Arts, a webinar offered in cooperation with Americans for the Arts on Friday, May 8, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (Eastern). The webinar shares highlights and recommendations from the 2008 National Arts Policy Roundtable, an annual forum of Americans for the Arts and the Sundance [...]

CULTURAL DATA PROJECT LAUNCHES NEW WEB RESOURCE

The Cultural Data Project (CDP) has launched a new website that will provide general information about the CDP to grantmakers, researchers, advocates, arts and cultural organizations and anyone wanting to learn more.
The site will be updated regularly and will be a central place for current partners to receive news about the project. Visiting [...]