How arts organizations are transforming their policies, practices, and culture to advance equity.
Change from the Inside Out
Stories of organizational change from our partners
Barr Foundation’s Arts & Creativity Program is centering racial equity in three key ways: centering BIPOC artists, organizations, and communities; supporting partners to become anti-racist; and committing to equitable philanthropic practices. In supporting our partners to be anti-racist, we have provided targeted trainings, individual and group coaching, peer-learning, and supplemental funds to advance organizational learning.
We are seeing interesting and inspiring practices emerge that deserve a spotlight so we are working with several storytellers to create case studies of organizational change - capturing lessons learned, areas of tension, and new practices. We believe these stories of organizational transformation can help inform and inspire action in the Massachusetts arts and creativity sector.
Blogpost introducing the series by Senior Program Officer for Arts & Creativity, SueEllen Kroll
“One consistent theme in my conversations with arts leaders in recent years - they are hungry for an exchange of ideas.”
We invite you to explore these stories and case studies below.
Featured Stories
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A Far Cry - Orchestrating Change
A Boston classical music group rededicates itself to diversifying the musical canon prompted by the pandemic shutdown and a national movement for racial justice.
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Assets for Artists - Creating Affinity Space for BIPOC Artists
How MASS MoCA's Assets for Artists pursued racial equity through BIPOC artists workshops
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Assets for Artists & CreateWell Fund - BIPOC Artist Residency Program
A4A partnered with the CreateWell Fund and together they hosted a BIPOC artists’ residency: “The Converging Liberations Residency” at MASS MoCA, specifically to increase the number of BIPOC artists in residence at the iconic arts institution.
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New Bedford Symphony Orchestra - Striking A Chord in the Community
The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra offers a case study on how one arts organization is growing a new, diverse audience for classical music.
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BCNC - Becoming a Place of Belonging
Staff from Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center share reflections and learnings from their internal diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging process.
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The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center - Viva The Mahaiwe!
A small-town performing arts center reaches out to a Spanish-speaking audience and builds community.