Cultural Investment Portfolio takes a fresh approach to unrestricted funding for nonprofit arts, humanities, and interpretive science organizations in Massachusetts. This program replaces the Organizational Support Program and will be in effect for the fiscal year 2011 cycle.
The primary purpose of MCC’s Cultural Investment Portfolio is to strengthen the cultural sector as a whole. Organizations all over the Commonwealth participated in its design by attending focus groups and sharing what worked and what didn’t work about the old program. Instead of application narratives and panel reviews that focused on artistic quality, the new program will rely on a comprehensive site visit and focus on organizations’ public value.
Site visits will enable an open dialogue among stakeholders, create opportunities for networking across the sector, and encourage cultural leaders to advocate for increased investment at the state level. Participating organizations will receive access to the Cultural Data Project, a dynamic statewide, web-based tool that allows you to track trends in the field, gauge your performance within that field, and better plan for your organization’s future.
Site visits will begin with partner organizations Artworks! in New Bedford and Community Music School in Springfield. The visits will bring together a range of stakeholders to engage in an honest conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing each organization.
As a reminder, CIP Partners and Colleagues must complete a Massachusetts Cultural Data Project profile by December 4. The Worcester Telegram & Gazette recently published an editorial praising the Cultural Investment Portfolio and Cultura Data Project for “helping the arts community do a better job of telling their stories and meeting their missions in the years ahead.”
The Cultural Investment Portfolio is not a traditional grant program, but a partnership that will better position the cultural sector as vital components of Massachusetts’ economy and the quality of life of our citizens.
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