The Study
One method Enrich Chicago uses to advance equitable access to resources and funding opportunities for BIPOC arts organizations is field research that leads to recommendations to change funding practices. In 2018 Enrich Chicago published the results of its first study examining the state of arts funding and the equitability of its distribution in Chicago in a report titled A Portrait of Inequity. Enrich Chicago has commissioned the nonprofit consulting firm TDC to conduct a follow-up study to update its assessment of racial equity in Chicago's arts and culture sector. TDC will be collecting data from foundations and arts organizations related to mission, organizational practices, finances, and support as it relates to race and ethnicity. This study is supported by a steering committee and a survey design committee made up of representatives of the following foundations and arts organizations:
Cate Fox, Center for Cultural Innovation
Bradford White, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
Aurora Toshiko King, Free Spirit Media
Ellen Placey Wadey, Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
Carlos Bossard, Haitian American Museum of Chicago
Media McNeal, Honey Pot Performance
Pepe Vargas, International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago
Sandra Aponte, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
JC Aevaliotis, Polk Brothers Foundation
Anh Thang Dao-Shah, San Francisco Arts Commission
Taking part in this study is completely voluntary. Participating foundations and arts organizations may withdraw their responses at any time. All of the information provided will be kept confidential. All data and personal information will only be accessible to TDC researchers.
Study Findings
The initial study findings will be presented at Chicagoland arts organizations and area foundations convening in early 2024. This event will allow organizations to comment on the findings and discuss funding practices. All organizations participating in this survey will be invited to the convening to review the initial findings. The study findings and additional learnings from the convening will be compiled into a final written report. The final report will include aggregate data related to racial/ethnic identity and diversity. The final report will not include your name or any other individual information by which individual organizations or foundations could be identified. The report is expected to be available in 2024.
Have questions? Need further information? View the FAQ HERE
Otherwise, if you have questions about the study or how your data will be used, please contact:
Madeline Carey, Consultant, TDC
31 Milk Street, Suite 310 Boston, MA 02109
617-468-0319 or mcarey@tdcorp.org
About Enrich Chicago
Enrich Chicago is a collective action organization for foundations and arts organizations that aims to advance a shared vision to irrevocably change the racist systems in the arts so that BIPOC arts and BIPOC people can thrive. One pillar of its activities is to increase equitable access to resources and funding opportunities for BIPOC arts organizations.
If you have questions about Enrich Chicago, please contact: info@enrichchi.org
