What is Needed
Adelante Houston!
BIPOC artists, arts and culture organizations, and arts collectives are transforming systems to create new possibilities and thriving futures. They are bringing forward their brilliances and gifts, and transmuting what is harmful into nutrients for their desired world. To realize their dreams for themselves and Houston, grantees shared what is needed from BANF and the wider BIPOC arts ecosystem:
- Abundant and equitable investments
- Shifting power, narratives, and systemic barriers
- Space to dream and create
- Network and technical support
BANF is currently funded through 2025. We will have invested in: a network of BIPOC groups, artists and community members who work together, are recognized, and equally valued by the arts power structure. BANF’s strategy is to seed and invest in this network, including continuing to recognize and visibilize the work of our grantees and other BIPOC artists, organizations, and collectives.
A diverse and thriving Houston is on the horizon!
Abundant and Equitable Investments
“We’re at the intersection of raising capital and also being the creative. Some [grantees are] focused on different things – figuring out where folks sit and building an ecosystem. Building what we need to do and building the blueprint ourselves. How do we build capital? How do we start this process as a collective in the community?” – BIPOC Artist, Emerging Collective
Grantees believe holistic, sustainable funding is needed for a thriving BIPOC arts ecosystem. This funding should be long-term and support operations, collaboration, and caring for people in ways that repair historic injustices. Established nonprofits shared the need for BIPOC arts groups to have support for convening to build power towards self-determination and creating their own vision and priorities. Mutual learning within the field, including outside Houston, can advance these efforts. Emerging and fiscally sponsored groups also highlighted the need for public municipal funding in addition to philanthropic support to create a sustainable arts ecosystem, where artists have a living wage and Houston can be recognized as a leader in the arts.
Shifting Power, Narratives, and Systemic Barriers
”I believe that what happens, when groups start to do things on their own, is self-determination, and others will come. George Floyd woke people and foundations up; I think that the network can be instrumental in helping them wake up even more.” – BIPOC Artists, Established Nonprofit
Funding models and practices should embrace equity and facilitate a growing and thriving BIPOC arts ecosystem. These practices should be rooted in the needs, approaches, and visions of BIPOC community arts and culture groups, guiding grantmakers to differently value, understand, and fund BIPOC arts and culture work. As noted by grantees from established and resourced groups, this work requires philanthropists and others with formal and positional power within the arts ecosystem to deepen their awareness and shift their worldview to one which embraces the importance, brilliance, and leadership of BIPOC arts, in all the forms they take.
Space to Dream and Create
Many grantees noted a desire for space to dream. In particular, emerging collectives and fiscally sponsored grantees shared that investments in BIPOC art, artists, and culture should: center creation, not just production; foster time to dream, rest, and heal; and nurture spaces where the ecosystem is already thriving.
Network and Technical Support
“What I see in the future is…we will be more connected and more integrated as part of the Houston general community.” – BIPOC Artists, Established Nonprofit
Grantees need investments that support them in bringing their own expertise to shift the field towards equity. They need support for relationship building and resource sharing to advance their own growth as well as to shift conditions in the field. Grantees shared that they can collaborate to build a networked ecosystem rooted in deeper relationships, ones that draw on each other’s strengths and capacities. Grantees also need technical support to deepen and expand their capacity, such as grant writing, financial planning and accounting, legal services, marketing and social media support, human resources expertise, etc.
