Jean Appolon Expressions

arts + creativity | initiative

Powering Cultural Futures

Supporting BIPOC creative traditions.

Massachusetts is home to an array of cultures and traditions, and all are essential to a just, thriving Commonwealth.

Yet, many groups have been denied access to the resources needed to elevate their voices. In a society that systematically devalues the culture, experiences, and voices of BIPOC communities, the Powering Cultural Futures initiative recognizes and honors cultural expression as core to their wellbeing—and to our collective wellbeing.

The grantees in this cohort honor creative practices in their communities and support the creation and production of new work; their active engagement with the evolution of BIPOC art forms and aesthetics reaffirms types of artistic genius and resilience long ignored or demeaned in American society.

Barr’s work through this initiative explores ways that philanthropy can fuel long-term expansion of BIPOC arts via access to long-term, flexible capital; technical assistance and network development; and attracting donors to finance similar approaches.

Powering Cultural Futures embraces research and listening as well as testing, evaluating, and improving ways to provide equitable supports for BIPOC arts. Partners bring a spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and experimentation to this work. All join in co-designing initiative-level strategies, formulating key learning questions, and exploring ways to bolster the ecosystem serving BIPOC artists and arts organizations statewide.

3rd Eye Youth Empowerment, Inc.

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Abilities Dance Incorporated

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Angkor Dance Troupe, Inc.

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Aquinnah Cultural Center

Castle of Our Skins, Inc.

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Danza Organica

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Elevated Thought, Inc.

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Free Soil Arts Collective

Front Porch Arts Collective of Boston

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Hyde Square Task Force, Inc.

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Jean Appolon Expressions, Inc.

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Ohketeau Cultural Center

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Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts, Inc.

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Teatro Chelsea

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The Loop Lab, Inc.

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The Core Concepts

Selection Process

Please note: This initiative is no longer soliciting new grantees.

To select the Powering Cultural Futures cohort, Barr developed eligibility and selection criteria, seeking organizations that:

were intentionally rooted in BIPOC communities;
were invested in BIPOC aesthetics and art forms, committed to their development and evolution;
engaged social justice values and principles in arts and cultural programs;
had authentic leadership who are part of the same community the organization serves or engages; and
had a demonstrated track record of resilience over time.

Barr staff researched community-rooted arts organizations across Massachusetts. Many potential participants surfaced because they received grants from Barr’s trusted intermediary partners to support new work, community engagement, and leadership development.

We focused on organizations that were not already involved with Barr so that we could work directly with a new cohort of organizations representing a broader spectrum of organizational scale. These connections fuel deeper understanding and help improve our efforts to support a more equitable, resilient arts sector.

After discussions with leaders of the organizations considered for participation, we invited 15 organizations to join the initiative.

Hyde Square Task Force

Initiative Elements

Each of the 15 organizations in the Powering Cultural Futures Cohort were awarded grants by the BIPOC Arts Equity Fund of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

Powering Cultural Futures provides means for these community-rooted organizations to build on their achievements in the following areas:

Increasing access to arts and cultural expression in BIPOC communities;
Developing networks of mutual support for BIPOC artists; and
Investing in the evolution of BIPOC art forms and aesthetics.

Over the course of the initiative, each participant can move toward an operating model and scale that matches its aspirations and incorporates factors including its programmatic strengths and ambitions, the hopes and needs of its community, and its mix of human, financial, and organizational resources.

Grants from the Community Foundation provide general operating support as well as risk capital through supplemental funds directed to priority opportunities identified by each participating organization. These financial resources are complemented by access to consultants who can offer advice on revenue models, organizational development, and donor engagement, including perspectives on wealth-building strategies in BIPOC communities. The initiative also features a peer learning network, making space for participants to explore challenges, successes, and ideas as well as engage with arts leaders from outside the cohort.