Arts + Creativity Program

Arts + Creativity Program is sponsored by Barr Foundation. The Barr Foundation's Arts + Creativity program seeks to invest in bold ideas and leaders, driving toward a future in which the arts are a living, breathing force, constantly evolving and igniting our collective imagination.

They provide large, multi-year operating grants to support organizations, especially those pursuing opportunities to center racial equity, provide leadership to the field with innovative new models, and integrate arts in other sectors.

Our Process and Approach - Barr Foundation There are a variety of ways organizations receive a grant from Barr. In most years, the majority of our grants support organizations we’ve previously funded. Yet, 15% to 30% of Barr grants help fund organizations we’ve never supported before.

Learn about the different ways we make grant decisions at Barr below. Building on Existing Partnerships We consider deep partnerships essential to making a positive difference in the communities we serve, so we prioritize long-term relationships with organizations that share our vision and make a clear impact year-to-year. Many of our grants are multi-year commitments without set term limits.

When a grant period ends, we often renew our support or fund new initiatives. Even when we don’t renew a grant, we remain in close contact and on the lookout for new opportunities to continue our partnership in the future. Proposals Invited by Staff To stay informed about needs and opportunities for impact, our team spends a great deal of their time in communities, engaging with leaders, residents, and experts.

These conversations can lead to invitations by Barr staff to submit a grant proposal. Inquiries From Potential New Partners Through the pathways outlined above, we aim to remain open to new ideas and partners. Yet, we know our networks have limits.

So, we also welcome inquiries from people who’ve taken a look at our goals and strategies and want to introduce themselves to the relevant members of our team. We encourage you to review our program pages and submit inquiries via the forms you’ll find there. Barr does not make grants to individuals or for scholarships.

It is also rare for Barr to fund capital projects or event sponsorships, except on occasion for longstanding partners. Transforming systems, policy, and narratives A rider exits a bus in Malden, MA. Five common themes characterize our work.

At Barr, we strive to be transparent, foster open dialogue, and nurture constructive relationships through: Flexibility and nimbleness Openness and transparency Charles River Conservancy Explore the partners we support and see how they’re driving change. Read impacts and learnings from Barr's completed grantmaking.