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Federal
National Endownment for the Arts (NEA)
Artistic Fields (grants)
Partnerships
Publications (sorted by most recent first)
State and Regional Arts Organizations
Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS)
"...primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums Its mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement."
Research Data Collection
Museum Research Data File
State & Regional
National Assemby of State Arts Agencies (NASSA)
“All 50 states and the six U.S. jurisdictions have state arts agencies…that offer a unique combination of grants and services for artists, arts organizations, schools and community groups.”
Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC)
“MCC is a state agency that promotes excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities. The Council pursues this mission through a combination of grant programs, partnerships, and services for nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists.”
U.S. Regional Arts Organizations (USRO)
“...Funded by the NEA, these organizations, which include Arts Midwest, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, South Arts, and Western States Arts Federation, provide technical assistance to their member state arts agencies, support and promote artists and arts organizations, and develop and manage arts initiatives on local, regional, national and international levels.”
New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA)
“Founded in 1976, ... NEFA’s programs are regional, national, and international in scope, and support artists and communities through grants and other opportunities in dance, music, theater, and public art. All aim to provide access to high quality arts experiences for the underserved, including projects that feature artistic expressions from diverse cultures and geographies.”
Nonprofit Organizations
American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
"AAM (formerly the American Association of Museums) is the one organization that supports all museums. Through advocacy and excellence, the Alliance strengthens the museum community. We support 21,000 museums…”
Americans for the Arts
“Our mission is to serve, advance, and lead the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate, promote, sustain, and support the arts in America.”
Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE)
"consists of more than 150 member programs, all training and equipping students in arts leadership, management, entrepreneurship, cultural policy, and more."
Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies
"The Princeton University Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies was founded in 1994 to improve the clarity, accuracy and sophistication of discourse about the nation's artistic and cultural life. Its programs and activities are designed to create an infrastructure of well-trained scholars who have access to regularly collected information about cultural organizations, activities and providers, and who produce timely research and analysis on key topics in arts and cultural policy."
Curb Center for Art, Enterprise, & Public Policy
Vanderbilt University. “...national policy center committed to research and teaching that challenges leaders to rethink the place of art and creativity in our world.”
Devos Institute of Arts Management
“…provides training, consultation, and implementation support for arts managers and their boards..."
MASSCreative
“... works with creative leaders, working artists, arts educators and arts and cultural supporters to empower creative organizations and the public with a powerful voice to advocate for the resources and attention necessary to build vibrant, connected, and creative communities.” (Massachusetts)
National Arts Journalism Program (NAJP)
“seeks to improve the quality of arts and cultural journalism, as well as its prestige in American newsrooms."
National Archive of Data on Arts & Culture (NADAC)
"Free and easy access to data on the arts and on the arts' value and impact for individuals and communities."
National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS)
“Our mission is to develop and disseminate high quality data on nonprofit organizations and their activities for use in research on the relationships between the nonprofit sector, government, the commercial sector, and the broader civil society.”
National Humanities Alliance
"an advocacy coalition dedicated to the advancement of humanities education, research, preservation, and public programs."
National Performance Network (NPN)
"…a group of diverse cultural organizers, including artists, working to create meaningful partnerships and to provide leadership that enables the practice and public experience of the arts in the United States…"
Research Center for Arts & Culture (RCAC)
ffiliate of the National Center for Creative Aging, Washington, D.C. “[for] artists, arts institutions, academics, researchers, private funders, policy makers and students."
Urban Institute: Arts & Culture
“To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.”
GuideStar: The National Database of Nonprofit Organizations (Candid) This link opens in a new window
Provides information on the missions, finances, programs, and management of nonprofit organizations, including foundations, public charities, and others. Search by name, keyword, city or state, nonprofit type (public charity, private operating foundation, or private nonoperating foundation), or income range. This database is part of Candid, a nonprofit knowledge bank for the social sector.
Private Sector
Markusen Economic Research: Problem-solving the Creative Economy
“…focused on artists, arts organizations, and creative placemaking."
Culture Track
“...the largest national study focused exclusively on the ever-changing attitudes and behaviors of U.S. cultural consumers.”
Rand Corporation: Humanities & the Arts Reports & Studies
The arts—from visual arts and literature to performing arts such as music, drama, and dance—provide benefits that extend beyond individual enjoyment and personal enrichment, to include exposure to new perspectives, sharpened learning skills among young people, expanded capacity for empathy, and stronger social bonds in communities."
Pew Charitable Trusts: Arts & Culture
"Arts and culture enrich civic life, help inspire children to learn and create, and strengthen local economies."
Pew Center for Arts & Heritage
"a multidisciplinary grantmaker and hub for knowledge-sharing, dedicated to fostering a vibrant cultural community in Greater Philadelphia."
