ABOUT THE PROGRAM
In continuation of its mission to support and empower arts managers and their boards, the DeVos Institute of Arts Management is pleased to offer pro bono consultation for ten US-based organizations focused on strengthening or developing arts programming to enhance social cohesion.
At a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey — one that calls for justice, reconciliation, restitution, and healing — the program seeks to assist organizations in the development and implementation of arts programming that promotes engagement between parties that may not otherwise engage in constructive or creative dialogue.
Specifically, the program recognizes the disproportionate and unacceptable impact that structural and racial inequity has had within BIPOC communities and, while all proposals are welcomed and encouraged, will prioritize proposals that seek to support BIPOC-led or BIPOC-serving organizations.
Apply by May 15th
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PROGRAM FOCUS
The oft-touted role of the arts — to create community, understanding, and empathy — has historically succeeded in engaging individuals and groups already inclined toward conversation with each other. This gathering of like minds in common experience – often bound by geography, background, or interest – has played an important role in efforts to strengthen community and cohesion.
Building on this foundation, this program seeks to support strategies that connect, through creative practice, ways of life that may not naturally collaborate or see eye-to-eye. As such, the initiative is especially interested to support projects working to build common ground between communities historically separated by differences defined by geography, economics, race, identity, and/or politics.
For this reason, the support provided through this project is open to arts organizations as well as other civic non-profits — including in the arenas of health, community development, faith, community organizing, or social service — that will use arts and culture as a strategy to build bridges across divides in their communities, or in partnership with adjacent, or even distant communities.
The program is specifically interested to support projects that have a systems analysis or social justice framework and that demonstrate a long-term commitment, in contrast to one-off or project-based efforts.
DEFINITION OF SUPPORT PROVIDED
The six-month planning process will support organizations in advancing program design, evaluation, visibility, and funding. Additionally, the process will assist organizations with their plans to build institutional wealth in the form of working capital, reserves, and/or other relevant instruments.
This dual focus — on program development and institutional wealth — recognizes the historical lack of equity in American communities and American philanthropy, and the importance of building institutional wealth for the long-term sustainability of non-profit organizations.
