
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.

RootsUprising, Cambridge Arts via Cambridge Community Foundation
Strategies
Learn about the strategies within the Arts + Creativity program.
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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


Powerful art, bold leadership, and vibrant communities
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:
- 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:
- 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:
- Strategy:
Grantmaking Process and Inquiries
To submit an inquiry to the Barr Foundation’s Arts + Creativity Program, please assemble your responses and requested materials outlined in our inquiry form below, and submit via email to arts@barrfoundation.org.
Arts + Creativity Team
Arts + Creativity Insights
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Leadership Evolution for Barr’s Arts + Creativity Team
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Announcing Catalyzing Vitality: New Grantmaking from the Arts & Creativity Program
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