FRONTLINES
Supporting Artists, Sustaining Communities
Zoe Strauss photographs neglected communities. Bill T. Jones choreographs innovative performances that confront issues of race and sexuality. Marilyn Chin pens books considered Asian American classics. All are 2007 United States Artists (USA) fellows, beneficiaries of an innovative program providing support to creative individuals.
"[They are] dynamic artists whose unique visions and creative contributions are opening minds and enlivening communities across America," says USA Executive Director Katherine DeShaw. Most support for the arts focuses on institutions. In 2005, for example, governments and philanthropies donated nearly $14 billion to arts, culture and humanities programs, but support for individual artists remains fragmented and largely unaddressed.
In 2003, the Ford Foundation and 35 other philanthropies commissioned an Urban Institute study of the everyday issues facing artists.
The report found that although artists contribute significantly to the health and economic well-being of their communities, they lack adequate support systems and often struggle to earn a living wage and maintain housing, workspace and health insurance.
To address the issue, the Ford Foundation led an effort to make a significant investment in working artists. USA was launched with $15 million of Ford funding, along with $5 million from the Rockefeller, Prudential and Rasmuson foundations. The effort builds on Ford's commitment to strengthen the arts and aims to encourage long-term support to sustain working artists.
USA considers hundreds of worthy candidates in fields ranging from architecture and design to music, dance, and visual arts for fellowships worth $50,000 each. The first 50 USA fellowships were awarded last year. The 2007 fellows were announced on November 17 in Los Angeles.
"At its best, art speaks to our minds, our souls and our human spirit," says Susan V. Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation and USA's board chair. "USA's investment in the creative potential of our country will yield returns for us all."
www.unitedstatesartists.org
www.urban.org/publications/411311.html