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

  1. Increase visibility and case-making for arts education within the Grantmakers for Education membership.
  2. Create opportunities for peer learning among impact group members.
  3. 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.

Photo by Allison Shelley/The Verbatim Agency for EDUimages

Group Members

JC Aevaliotis

Polk Brothers Foundation

Russell Cannon

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Matt D’Arrigo, Co-Chair

Clare Rose Foundation

Lakita Edwards

National Endowment for the Arts

Chiho Feindler, Co-Chair

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

Clarence E. Heller Charitable
Foundation

Porché Hardy

The Wallace Foundation

Mac Howison

The Heinz Endowments

Chelsea Landry, Co-Chair

Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher
Family Foundation

Wendy Liscow

Arts Ed NJ, emeritus

Ruth Mercado-Zizzo

EdVestors

Nicole Moore-Kriel

Powell Foundation

Joe Panganiban

The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

Richard Simon

Independent Consultant

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