Jonah Bokaer

Program

Arts + Creativity

Elevating the arts and enabling creative expression to engage and inspire a dynamic, thriving Massachusetts

In a time of enormous disruption and rapid change across our society, the arts and creativity are essential. Great art transforms the way we engage with the world. It brings beauty into our lives. Through creativity we can transcend conventions and generate new ideas, alternatives, and possibilities. Arts and creativity have the power to connect us with each other, to help us understand our dynamic environment, to heal, and to imagine new, better, different futures.
To achieve the goal of a dynamic, thriving Commonwealth, we believe that a central focus on racial equity is required. Massachusetts needs adaptive and relevant organizations with broad public engagement and support.
Barr’s Arts + Creativity program seeks to invest in bold ideas and leaders through three strategies.

A group of dancers wearing yellow perform against brightly painted walls.

RootsUprising, Cambridge Arts via Cambridge Community Foundation

Strategies

Learn about the strategies within the Arts + Creativity program.

Activating Public Support

Investing in research, analysis, and communications to build awareness, engagement, and public demand for strong arts policies and financing.
more about this strategy Read More
Spanning Sectors

Supporting collaborations across arts disciplines and with other sectors for creative problem solving, expanding arts participation, and increasing resources for arts and creativity.
more about this strategy Read More
Adapting Boldly

Building capacity for artists and the arts field to adapt, take risks, and engage diverse audiences in new ways.
more about this strategy Read More

The Essential Role of the Arts

Recent Grants

New England Foundation for the Arts, Inc.

To support an impact assessment of the Public Art program

Award Date: 02/04/2025
Amount: $100,000
Term: 12 months
Program:
Arts + Creativity Click to see more of the Arts + Creativity program
Strategy:
Activating Public Support Click to see more of the Activating Public Support strategy

Hamilton-Garrett Music and Arts Academy, Inc.

To provide core support to the Hamilton-Garrett Center for Music and Arts program as part of the Catalyzing Vitality program

Award Date: 10/31/2023
Amount: $100,000
Term: 36 months
Program:
Arts + Creativity Click to see more of the Arts + Creativity program
Strategy:
Adapting Boldly Click to see more of the Adapting Boldly strategy
Fiscal Sponsor: Historic Charles Street A.M.E. Church

Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Foundation, Inc.

To support capital-related projects as part of the Creative Development and Sustainability Initiatives strategy

Award Date: 02/04/2025
Amount: $1,000,000
Term: 18 months
Program:
Arts + Creativity Click to see more of the Arts + Creativity program
Strategy:
Adapting Boldly Click to see more of the Adapting Boldly strategy

More Arts + Creativity Grants

Arts + Creativity Insights

Arts + Creativity

A group of dancers stand in a line across a dimly lit stage, hands on each others shoulders. They wear colorful silk robes.

Leadership Evolution for Barr’s Arts + Creativity Team

Arts + Creativity

An artist in a cherry picker works on a large, colorful mural on the side of a building.

Announcing Catalyzing Vitality: New Grantmaking from the Arts & Creativity Program

Arts + Creativity

From Data to Development: Empowering how we Define the Creative Economy