The Boston Foundation believes that arts and cultural activities are integral to the educational, economic, and social fabric of the lives of those living in Greater Boston and Massachusetts.  Neighborhoods with lively cultural scenes enhance the lives of those who inhabit them, attract new residents and visitors, restaurants and other businesses— revitalizing and diversifying the community. 

The Commonwealth’s cultural institutions are recognized around the world as an integral part of our civic identity. At the same time, these organizations—from large world-class institutions to small neighborhood-based agencies—struggle for the resources to maintain their facilities, develop new programs, and create and present new work. 

Through the Boston Foundation’s civic leadership, information about the state’s cultural sector and support for its continued vitality have been strengthened.

Arts & Culture Spotlight:

Vital Signs: Metro Boston’s Arts and Cultural Nonprofits 1999 and 2004 This Understanding Boston report draws upon fresh data to examine the status and wellbeing of the Arts and Cultural Sector in Greater Boston. At a time when significant economic and demographic changes have had an impact on organizations of all kinds, this report by the Boston Foundation uses consistent metrics to evaluate the health of the sector and identify challenges and opportunities that exist for organizations of all sizes. The report is based on data drawn from IRS reports, which is made available to all through the Boston Foundation’s Boston Indicators project. Learn more »

Indicators-related research: October 08, 2009 Connect to the Boston Indicators Project's Cultural Life and the Arts sector for data, trends, research and resources October 08, 2009 Arts Participation 2008: Highlights from a National Survey October 09, 2008 National Endowment for the Arts evaluates artists in the workforce		Selected grants: June 24, 2010 Arts Boston June 24, 2010 Institute of Contemporary Art October 08, 2009 Boston Childrens Chorus
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Recent Arts & Culture Reports:

The Arts Advantage: Expanding Arts Education in the Boston Public Schools This report contains new research about the state of arts education in Boston.  It provides a detailed picture of current offerings in the schools as well as a set of recommendations advanced by School Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. Read Report

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Arts & Culture Forums:

Race, Class and Cultural Participation: How the Arts Can Bridge Differences June 26, 2008 Robert Lewis Jr., Vice President for Program at the Boston Foundation, opened a highly interactive forum on the role the arts can play in bridging diverse cultures by remembering his experiences during the school desegregation era in the ‘70s. “Especially in public housing, the arts really brought communities together,” he said. “They helped us to learn how to reach out to people who were different from us. Let’s start a conversation like that today and then let’s continue it.”

Culture is Our Common Wealth May 11, 2004 An Action Agenda to Enhance Revenues and Resources for Massachusetts Cultural OrganizationsOn May 11, 2004, the Cultural Task Force released its report, Culture is Our Commonwealth, at the Boston Center for the Arts.  Over 400 people attended the event.Visit the forum website with talking photo galleries where you can listen to all of the presentations and view over 140 photos of the event.

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