A recent special report from Grantmakers in the Arts analyzes data trends in arts philanthropy over the last twenty five years. Written by Steven Lawrence, the report brings together findings from previous Arts Funding reports, annual “snapshot” analyses, and various other data points from the field. Ultimately, as the author notes, the “examination of changing sources of support for arts and culture in the 1980s, 1990s, and since 2000 illustrates how funding has evolved during this time and the factors propelling those changes — from economic booms and busts to political controversies to unprecedented growth in private support.”

The report looks at trends in the 1980s, 1990s, and since 2000. Some high-level observations within each time period include:

• “The 1980s witnessed fluctuations in the relative importance of various private and public sources of support for the US arts and cultural community that would be magnified in the following decade. Yet, the overall outlook was positive as growing resources helped to fuel the expansion of the arts and cultural sector.”
• In the 1990s, funding outlooks were generally optimistic, as federal support for the NEA had stabilized by the end of the decade. However, the arts community expressed concern over the isolation of the arts “in the wake of culture wars and a perceived anti-arts backlash.”
• Since 2000, support for the arts has lost ground relative to other priorities. “Unlike in prior economic downturns, where the arts showed consistency and resilience, an examination of recent arts and culture revenue and public and private funding suggests that the arts as they are traditionally perceived may represent a diminishing priority for foundation and corporate donors. While the nominal value of support for arts and culture in the United States remains impressive, relative to changes in support for other priorities, the arts have unquestionably lost ground.”

You can learn more about these trends and read the full report here. 

On December 31, 2017, the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program (NAHYP) Awards were officially closed. First launched in 1998 as the “Coming Up Taller Awards,” the NAHYP Awards have become known as the country’s highest honor for Creative Youth Development programs—i.e. out-of-school-time arts and humanities programs—helping to raise the visibility of the field and highlight best practices within CYD. Alongside the National Guild, Americans for the Arts, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards participated as one of the founders of the Creative Youth Development National Partnership. As as a signature program of the President's Commitee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH), the closure announcement follow's PCAH's resignation in August 2017 in protest of the current presidential administration's policies.

Over the past 19 years, the award has been presented to 256 outstanding programs in the United States and to 29 organizations internationally, along with a total of $2,850,000 in support. Additionally, 707 Finalists have received a Certificate of Excellence.

In a written note to the field, Traci Slater-Rigaud, former director of the NAHYP Awards, expressed her “deep gratitude to the teaching artists, educators, administrators, community stakeholders, parents, and youth, who, together, compose the fabric of the field.” She noted that their “critical work makes a tangible difference in the lives of young people, and the legacy of [their] success will reverberate for generations to come.”

In recent years, the NAHYP Awards have supported the work of Guild member organizations across the country, including: Destiny Arts Center (Oakland, CA); Alchemy, Inc. (Akron, OH); Spy Hop Productions (Salt Lake City, UT); New Ballet Ensemble & School (Memphis, TN); Project STEP (Boston, MA); DreamYard Project (Bronx, NY); Arts Corps (Seattle, WA); and many others.

You can learn more about the NAHYP Awards here.