Is Art Only For The Elite?

Is Art Only For The Elite?
KPCC 89.3
October 11, 2011

A new report by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy raises some important questions about the way we fund the arts.

Traditionally, foundations give billions to elite and well-established institutions, like the symphony and major museums that serve a mostly affluent, white audience. This funding model continues despite the fact that the audience for those institutions is declining. The research shows that big budget arts organizations collect about 55 percent of foundation funding even though they represent “only 2 percent of the nonprofit arts and culture sector.” By contrast, about 10 percent goes to fund arts programs in underserved and poor communities.