Community Based Arts

Artists dream big, work hard and implement ideas for a living. These dreamers and doers create nuance, critical thinking, multiple perspectives, and push societies to stretch, evolve, and thrive.

We believe communities are made better by the arts and the arts are at their best when they reflect the community. Therefore, the goal of the Culture Program is to strengthen arts organizations by diversifying program offerings, artists’ commissions, staff, board leadership, and ultimately audience in measurable, sustainable ways. We also strive to increase the capacity and resources of culturally specific and community-based arts organizations. Additionally, we invest in Midwestern creative capital, partnerships, and community engagement through the Joyce Awards program. Lastly, we keep focus on innovations in the field that lead to broader, more diverse arts organizations, artists, and audience.

Theory of Change

Arts organizations that commission and exhibit work by artists of color, employ all levels of minority staff, offer programs with content expressing multiple ethnic viewpoints and include board members from different racial backgrounds will consistently attract diverse audiences reflective of the 21^st century population and therefore be vital community resources. Additionally, the experience—both onsite and online—of an organization can build diverse, loyal audiences from unexpected spaces.