The arts are essential for just, vibrant, and thriving communities. The power of creativity is a force for transformation, creating vitality and amplifying the voices of those who are often unheard.

Arts organizations, artists, creative workers, culture bearers (those who practice, share, and teach cultural traditions and art forms) help us envision and realize a shared future of equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Barr’s Arts + Creativity program seeks to invest in bold ideas and leaders, driving toward a future in which the arts are a living, breathing force, constantly evolving and igniting our collective imagination.

Across three strategies — Clean Energy, Climate Resilience, and Mobility — we work in concert to reduce emissions, build community resilience, and elevate the leadership of those most impacted by the climate crisis. We believe that frontline communities, those most often hit first and worst by the impacts of climate change, should have the power, resources, and self-determination to shape a just, healthy, and climate-resilient future.

We envision public high schools across New England providing relevant and rigorous learning experiences that support students. We focus on high schools because they play a critical role in young people’s lives. We center our work on two aspirations: excellence and equity.

School transformation takes many forms across many types of schools. Yet, all share a deep commitment to high expectations for all students; trusting relationships with peers and adults; rigorous and relevant learning experiences full of joy and purpose; personalized supports; and abundant opportunities for students to discover their gifts and passions.

This is excellence and equity. It’s what enables all students to thrive and graduate ready to choose and pursue fulfilling paths for their future.

Our Sector Effectiveness grantmaking focuses on three strategies that are essential to the health and effectiveness of the people, organizations, and policies that are critical to the nonprofit and philanthropic sector.

Social change leaders. We invest in civic leaders who represent the diversity of communities in our region, work collaboratively across boundaries (including of race, class, and sector), inspire and encourage new ideas and connections, center equity, and advance positive change.

Sector infrastructure. We support organizations that bolster the core infrastructure of the social sector, including nonprofits and philanthropy, and we prioritize efforts that advance racial equity.

Equitable policy making. We invest in collaborative efforts that support the conditions, relationships, and capacity for robust civic engagement and inclusive policy making that centers racial equity, builds community power, and leads to positive systemic change.

The majority of Barr’s grantmaking extends from the Foundation’s core program
strategies: Arts + Creativity, Climate, and Education.

From time to time we initiate additional work consistent with our mission of
service and commitment to the long-term strength, vitality, and resilience of our region.