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Powering Cultural Futures Convening

Elevating cultural organizations and artists as community leaders and anchors

Within this strategy, Barr invests in arts organizations and leaders in the cultural sector to create the conditions for artists to thrive. We envision an arts field that is nimble, adaptive, and responsive to communities – where artists, cultural workers, and arts administrators produce courageous art, experiment, and take bold risks. 

Our grantmaking priorities are to: 

  • Strengthen arts organizations through capacity building, strategic capitalization, and collaboration across the arts ecosystem. 
  • Foster conditions for artists and creative workers to thrive. 
  • Stimulate new work and reach new audiences by embracing risk and elevating artistic appreciation and discourse. 

Grantmaking in Elevating Arts Leadership

Celebrity Series of Boston

To support Celebrity Series’ organizational rebranding implementation plan

Myriad USA, Inc.

To support Massachusetts arts organizations to access Nonprofit Secure resources

Trustees of Tufts College

To support the Collective Futures Fund

More Elevating Arts Leadership Grants Visit More Elevating Arts Leadership Grants

Grantmaking Inquiries

Grants awarded by the Barr Foundation originate in different ways. The majority are initiated by staff based on their ongoing engagement with grantee partners and the broader field. Given the value we place on long-term partnerships, many grants are renewed for current grantees.

Please note that Barr invests in long-term systems change work as outlined in our strategy and — with exceedingly rare exception — does not fund individual artists, individual projects, or programs. For those who feel their work may align with Barr’s priorities, the best approach is to complete this form.

Please allow up to 6 weeks for a response. For additional resources that might support your organization, please check out our Resources for Grant Seekers post.

Insights from Elevating Arts Leadership

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