Dismiss

Cape Ann Museum selected for the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative

October 3, 2018

A $25 million investment in 29 arts organizations from across Massachusetts over six years to strengthen their financial health and “adaptive capacity”

→ Link to the article

GLOUCESTER, MASS. (October 3, 2018) – We are pleased to announce that The Cape Ann Museum was selected to participate in the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative – as announced earlier today on the Barr Foundation’s blog. A partnership between two Boston-based foundations – Barr and The Klarman Family Foundation – the initiative is a $25 million, six-year investment in 29 arts and cultural organizations from across Massachusetts. Participating organizations receive flexible, multi-year operating support grants, in addition to training and technical assistance from TDC, a nonprofit consulting and research firm. Cape Ann Museum’s engagement in the initiative begins with two grants totaling $375,000 from Barr and the Klarman Family Foundation over three years, a ringing endorsement of the Museum’s work and potential.

“We are thrilled to participate in the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative and excited for the opportunity to work with 28 other arts organizations across the state,” said Ronda Faloon, Executive Director of the Cape Ann Museum. “This generous funding and focused training will strengthen our ability to contribute to the cultural vibrancy of our communities. For us, this grant is especially timely. The goals of our recently completed 2018-2023 Strategic Plan closely align with those of the Initiative. Overall, it really moves us forward with a strong vision for the arts.”

“Organizations like the Cape Ann Museum are the cultural hearts of their communities,” said San San Wong, Director of Arts & Creativity for the Barr Foundation. “They are sites of public assembly and dialogue, often working to foster understanding and connection across cultural differences. It is our privilege to support the Cape Ann Museum in this journey to further strengthen its financial health and capacity to adapt to change – that it might deepen and continue this work for years to come.”

“Arts organizations, including the Cape Ann Museum, play a critical role in the health of our communities,” said Laura Sherman, Director, Greater Boston Grantmaking for The Klarman Family Foundation. “We are committed to strengthening this cohort of 29 arts organizations across the Commonwealth that have the ability to connect and enliven communities through culture, tradition and creative expression, and we are proud to be part of this initiative.”

Representing diversity across artistic disciplines, geographic reach, stages of organizational development, and budget sizes, the 29 organizations participating in the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative are:

 

Cape Ann Museum and each participant in this initiative will receive multi-year, unrestricted operating grants. Additionally, through a grant to TDC, a nationally recognized nonprofit consulting and research group, organizations will also receive customized training and technical assistance, and be eligible for supplemental funds for targeted research, capacity building, and/or pilot projects. Last week, the foundations made the first set of three-year grants under the new initiative, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a six-year journey of learning, collaboration, and growth.

For more information about the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative page, including the ideas underlying the effort, key elements of the experience for participating organizations, selection criteria, and evaluation findings, visit https://www.barrfoundation.org/what-we-do/barr-klarman-massachusetts-arts-initiative.

 

 

About the Cape Ann Museum: The Cape Ann Museum has been in existence since the 1870s, working to preserve and celebrate the art, history and culture of the area and to keep it relevant to today’s audiences. Spanning 44,000 square feet, the Museum is one of the major cultural institutions on Boston’s North Shore welcoming more than 25,000 local, national and international visitors each year to its exhibitions and programs. In addition to fine art, the Museum’s collections include decorative art, textiles, artifacts from the maritime and granite industries, two historic homes and a sculpture park in the heart of downtown Gloucester. Visit capeannmuseum.org for details.

About the Barr Foundation: The Barr Foundation’s mission is to invest in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts. Based in Boston, Barr focuses regionally, and selectively engages nationally, working in partnership with nonprofits, foundations, the public sector, and civic and business leaders to elevate the arts, advance solutions for climate change, and connect all students to success in high school and beyond. Founded in 1997, Barr now has assets of $1.7 billion, and has contributed more than $838 million to charitable causes. For more information, visit barrfoundation.org or follow @BarrFdn on Twitter and Facebook.

About The Klarman Family Foundation: The Klarman Family Foundation seeks to identify areas of unmet need and advance solutions to addressing them. Underlying all of the Foundation’s work is a passionate belief in the promise and importance of creative thinking, strategic leadership and strong organizations to help bring about change. As a way to learn and create greater impact, the Foundation values acting in partnership with other funders. Its work spans regionally, nationally and internationally and focuses on advancing understanding of the biological basis of health and illness; supporting the global Jewish community and State of Israel; expanding access to vital services and enrichment opportunities in Greater Boston; and ensuring a healthy democracy. Established in 1990 by Beth and Seth Klarman, the Foundation is located in Boston, MA. For more information, visit klarmanfoundation.org.

Cape Ann Museum Media Contacts:

Diana Brown McCloy, Teak Media: (978) 697-9414   [email protected]
Meredith Anderson, Cape Ann Museum: (978) 283-0455 x15   [email protected]

Barr Foundation Media Contact:

Stefan Lanfer, Director of Communications: mailto:[email protected]     617-854-3404

Sign up for e-news