Every year, approximately 11 percent of foundation giving – about $2.3 billion in 2009 – is awarded to nonprofit arts and cultural institutions. The distribution of these funds is demonstrably out of balance with our evolving cultural landscape and with the changing demographics of our communities. Current arts grantmaking disregards large segments of cultural practice, and by doing so, it disregards large segments of our society.
Arts Funding
Growing Philanthropy in the United States
In the United States, charitable giving is estimated to be around two percent of average household
disposable (after tax) income (Giving USA Foundation 2011). Regrettably, this is also the 40-year average
for this figure, indicating that, despite an increasing effort on the part of nonprofits (Sargeant and Jay
2010), individuals today are no more generous than their predecessors were over four decades ago. Thirty-two recommendations follow.
Legislative Appropriations Annual Survey, Fiscal Year 2012
The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) surveys state arts agencies twice yearly for updated appropriations and budget information. This report includes 2012 appropriations, other state arts agency revenue sources, trends over time, and per capita funding information. Non-NASAA members may purchase the full report.
Vibrant Culture, Vibrant City
Investment in our creative economy is a building force for [the San Diego] region. The nonprofit arts and culture organizations funded through the Commission’s organizational Support Program (oSP) have an important and vital impact on San Diego’s economy. These organizations stimulate the economy with over $173 million in direct expenditures, including $98.8 million in salaries. In fact, the 70 oSP organizations funded by the Commission constitute an important employment sector, supporting a workforce of more than 7,000. The arts not only create jobs, they provide a competitive advantage in attracting new businesses and a skilled workforce. In addition, 12,144 volunteers contribute time, talent and resources to arts and culture locally. REPORT
Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission Annual Report 2010
The annual report for the local arts agency for Sacramento County.
Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning the Future Through Creative Schools
… Decades of research show strong and consistent links between high-quality arts education and a wide range of impressive educational outcomes. This is true even though, as in most areas where learning is complex, the research base does not yet establish causal proof. Arts integration models, the practice of teaching across classroom subjects in tandem with the arts, have been yielding some particularly promising results in school reform and closing the achievement gap. Most recently, cutting-edge studies in neuroscience have been further developing our understanding of how arts strategies support crucial brain development in learning.
At the same time, due to budget constraints and emphasis on the subjects of high stakes testing, arts instruction in schools is on a downward trend. Just when they need it most, the classroom tasks and tools that could best reach and inspire these students – art, music, movement and performing – are less available to them. Sadly, this is especially true for students from lower-income schools, where analyses show that access to the arts in schools is disproportionately absent. …
SEE FULL REPORT
