Can Arts Funding Survive Without Government Support?

Description: Explore the unprecedented shifts in US arts funding and what they mean for creative communities nationwide. Featuring John Carnwath from WolfBrown research and consulting firm on navigating federal cuts, building sustainable funding models, and reimagining how creative ecosystems can thrive through decentralized support systems and community-centered approaches.

Key Topics:

• Federal cuts to NEA, NEH, and IMLS and their ripple effects on state agencies
• The reality of arts funding concentration and inequality
• Alternative funding models from micro-grants to market-based sustainability
• Lessons from international arts funding approaches
• Moving from top-down grant selection to ecosystem-wide support
• Local decision-making and community-responsive funding
• The role of private foundations and individual donors in filling gaps
• Building equity in arts funding distribution

Featured Guest:

• John Carnwath - Principal at WolfBrown research and consulting firm; Specialist in creative ecosystems, arts funding, cultural policy, and impact evaluation

Notable Quotes:"It has to be local based... there's something to be said for the kind of more local, more immediately connected funding feedback loops." - John Carnwath

"You reduce inequality by taking away the money from the people who already have it, 'cause that's gonna be easier than getting more money for the people who don't have resources." - John Carnwath

"Supporting lots of little things... making it really easy to get funding to do something that's not bureaucratic, that you can quickly turn around." - John Carnwath

Connect with our guest:

• John Carnwath: LinkedIn and wolfbrown.com

Special Announcement:Could Be Pretty Cool News is now a certified B Corporation! Learn more about our mission-driven approach and upcoming creative research initiatives.

Follow Could Be Pretty Cool News:@couldbeprettycool | couldbeprettycool.com | couldbeprettycoolnews.substack.com

Keywords: arts funding, NEA cuts, creative ecosystems, sustainable funding models, arts policy, cultural funding, creative entrepreneurship, foundation grants, community arts support, arts funding equity