Artist + Activist Community Fund Demographics
Since 2020, through eight rounds of grants, the Artist + Activist Community Fund (AACF) has supported 172 alums (from our National Facilitator Training, BIPOC Leadership Circle, BIPOC Surviving PWI, and Women of Color in Leadership programs) and 254 emergency funds, organizations, and individuals recommended by artEquity alumni and staff, totaling over $930,000.
See below for key AACF demographic stats and a list of the organizations and funds that were supported by the AACF.
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A note about the demographics:
We were deeply moved and excited by the work of the organizations that the artEquity alums recommended for funding in Rounds 1–5. All of these organizations have been listed and we encourage you to take time getting to know each one of them. In our attempt to capture a clear picture of who these organizations were serving and their actions within and for those communities, we did not find a synthesis or tabulation that could clearly capture the depth of the work that is being done.
Despite that, there were similarities between these efforts—many served Youth, Women, Indigenous, Immigrants, Latinx, and Black and Brown communities. The list includes emergency relief efforts, education, advocacy programs, arts-based learning programs, violence prevention, community centers, theatre companies, artistic collectives, and movement-building organizations.
Round 6 of giving emphasized self-care and promoting wellness as we navigated the current moment. We defined wellness as whatever that meant to each individual: a day trip, support for mental health, somatic work, a special meal, art supplies, space to mourn, a workshop, a day off for reflection, whatever supported and affirmed life.
BIPOC Elders + Culture Bearers Grant
In response to community need, the Artist + Activist Community Fund expanded to include the BIPOC Elders + Culture Bearers Grant for funding Round 7 and Round 8. This new grant was created with a focus on artist elders: elders who carry the wisdom of our communities and who have been empowering us to experience the healing and transformative power of the arts for generations.
To honor that wisdom and artistic contributions, we chose elders who:
- have built a legacy of art and activism for their community;
- have worked at their craft or their chosen artistic field for 35+ years;
- have been at the forefront of creating and advancing positive social change in their own community and beyond; and
- could benefit from additional resources at this stage of their lives.
Learn more about the BIPOC Elders + Culture Bearers Grant here.