Adapting Boldly

Building capacity for artists and the arts field to adapt, take risks, and engage diverse audiences in new ways.

Hyde Square Task Force, photo by Mark Saperstein

About this Strategy

We believe that communities become dynamic and thriving when their arts and creative expression reflect the full range of cultures, traditions, and voices in those communities. Our aim is to support the growth of an arts ecosystem that is equitably resourced and community rooted. Our priorities are to:

Provide risk capital for exemplary arts organizations to: embrace artistic risk-taking and bold change for the field; expand the diversity of creative experiences and audiences; and support work that inspires collective re-imagining of culture and community.
Invest in programming that increases the capacity of working artists to produce, promote, and present art that spurs deep and enduring positive change.

Learn more about recent Adapting Boldly work.

ArtsAmplified
Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative
Powering Cultural Futures
Change from the Inside Out
How Barr Partners to Support Individual Artists

Initiatives

A group of people are standing in a park are looking at a public art exhibit by American visual artist, Liz Glynn.

A $25 million investment over six years in 29 Massachusetts arts organizations to strengthen financial health and capacity to adapt to change.

Learn about BKMAI

Four barefoot dancers wearing white pants and gray tops perform on stage while a large audience sitting outside in a serene, wooded setting watches.

Investing in 15 arts organizations as risk takers and civic leaders.

Learn about ArtsAmplified

A six-year partnership with 15 community-rooted organizations to support BIPOC arts and communities, and advance a more equitable Massachusetts arts sector.

Learn about Powering Cultural Futures