Past Investment: 1991-2003
The issue…
Many performing arts presenters, even those with international reputations, seek creative methods for developing well-informed, committed audiences for the performing arts, and engaging their own communities.
The response…
From 1991 through 2003, The Wallace Foundation contributed $14 million to the Arts Partners Program, administered by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters of Washington, DC, to build audiences for the performing arts through collaborations with artists and community organizations.
The strategies…
To date, Wallace has made planning and project grants totaling over $10 million to performing arts presenters for long-term artists residencies in dance, music, theater and multidisciplinary work. Grants have supported more than 100 artist residencies with presenters in almost as many communities. In addition to grants for audience building, the program has supported professional training seminars and the creation and distribution of publications, including Audience Development: A Planning Toolbox for Partners, Learning Audiences and For the Record.
The accomplishments…
Overall, this program has made substantive changes in audience building and community engagement skills of the arts presenting field and created meaningful and lasting partnerships between presenters and community organizations nationwide. Professional presenting organizations worked with performing artists and community groups supporting projects to build audiences, involving extended residencies by performing arts ensembles and encouraging interaction among presenters, artists and audiences. In December 1998, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation announced a three-year, $3 million grant to the Arts Partners Program, a significant endorsement of its value. For publications and additional information visit the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.