Arts Education Impact Group
We are anything but a blank canvas.
Arts Education Impact Group
We believe every student has the right to participate in relevant arts and cultural education both inside and outside of school. We believe, and research has demonstrated, that fulfilling this right will support the development of young peoples’ creativity, individual identities and leadership, while shaping their social-emotional wellness and increasing their academic success. It will also lead to education systems that are more equitable and authentically engaged with children and families.
Following these beliefs, the impact group’s mission is to increase national support for culturally sustaining creative arts education opportunities available to youth. We do this through offering education, advocacy and professional development within, and in connection to, the EdFunders community.
Impact Group Goals
- Increase visibility and case-making for arts education within the Grantmakers for Education membership.
- Create opportunities for peer learning among impact group members.
- Weave equity and inclusion throughout our work.
Anticipated Member Commitment
We ask and encourage impact group members to commit five hours per month over their two-year tenure. These commitments increase for co-chairs for the impact group and leading working subgroups. All members are asked to:
- Attend monthly 1.5-hour virtual meetings.
- Attend at least one annual in-person planning/strategy meeting.
- Lead or participate in at least one working subgroup within the impact group.
- Share learning from their own organizations and from other sources.
- Promote the impact group and its activities within EdFunders and outside channels (if appropriate).
- Help recruit new members.
- Maintain an active Grantmakers for Education membership.
- Support impact group operations through a financial contribution from their organization.
Join us
All EdFunders members are invited to join the Arts Education Impact Group. Financial support is encouraged to help fulfill our impact measures.
Learn more by contacting Wendy Xiao, coordinator.
Group Members
JC Aevaliotis
Polk Brothers Foundation
Russell Cannon
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Matt D’Arrigo
Clare Rose Foundation
Lakita Edwards, Co-Chair
National Endowment for the Arts
Chiho Feindler
Save the Music Foundation
Beth Feldman-Brandt
Bartol Foundation
Subashini Ganesan-Forbes
James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation
Nilofar Gardezi
Margaret E. Lesher Foundation
Emily Garvie, Co-Chair
Clarence E. Heller Charitable
Foundation
Mac Howison
The Heinz Endowments
Chelsea Landry
Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher
Family Foundation
Wendy Liscow
Arts Ed NJ, emeritus
Jessica Mele
The William and Flora Hewlett
Foundation
Ruth Mercado-Zizzo
EdVestors
Nicole Moore-Kriel
Powell Foundation
Joe Panganiban
The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
Richard Simon
Independent Consultant
More Impact & Learning Groups
Arts
Education
We pursue national support for educational experiences in the arts and culture making these available to youth through member advocacy and professional development.
Equity & Grantmaking
We learn in community with members about changes funders can make to their investments and grantmaking practices in order to more equitably serve young people and communities.
Learning, Evaluation
and Data
We empower deeper engagement among members to collect, interpret, value and act on educational data to improve philanthropic practice, policies and strategies.
Out-of-School
Time
We create space for members and practitioners to stay connected and informed of evolving needs in the Out-of-School Time field and create ongoing conversations about how funders can respond.
Postsecondary Access
and Attainment
We work to increase the number of learners who access and complete postsecondary education or training, with a focus on historically underserved populations.