As our community seeks social justice solutions, song, dance and other lessons from the stage can help guide the way.
The Community Foundation of Broward is using the power of the arts to bridge differences with support for Art of Community – philanthropy that ignites creativity, invokes community pride and unites residents through the arts.
Thanks to Community Foundation Fundholders who step up for the arts, one of our new Art of Community grants supports “Arts for Action: Black Voices” by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation.
This dynamic program features music, theatrical performances and dance – experienced both in person and virtually – that will enable audiences to explore topics such as racial inequality, human rights, LGBT+ issues and more.
The program will include up to six curated events where the performing artists, community activists and residents engage in conversations about social justice issues. It will also feature three performances by prominent Black artists who will participate in audience conversations before or after their shows.
Grammy winners, Broadway stars, renowned composers and more are expected to lend their talents to Arts for Action. The group Black Violin is partnering with the Broward Performing Arts Foundation to lead this effort to engage residents through the arts.
“Art can bring people in in ways that just a conversation can’t,” said Kev Marcus of Black Violin. “We want to have … really courageous conversations that can move the needle and move it forward.”
An advisory panel of Black influencers will help shape the program content. And the Racial Equity Institute is providing training for staff at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and the project partners.
The program culminates in a free-admission, outdoor arts festival featuring performances and exhibitions about social justice issues.
“We can all gather. Celebrate what we have all done. Celebrate these great artists and share what we have learned,” said Kelley Shanley, president and CEO of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
The Arts for Action: Black Voices program is one of seven exciting new Art of Community projects that will help answer our community’s call for social justice.
Click here to learn more about all the new Art of Community projects.
“It’s really the arts that unify us, they heal us, they inspire us,” Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D., said. “These programs are going to have an amazing impact on our community.”
Support for the new Art of Community projects came from the following Funds at the Community Foundation:
Helen and Frank Stoykov Charitable Endowment Fund, Ruth H. Brown Fund for the Arts, Dot and Keith Cobb Fund, Mary and Alex Mackenzie Community Impact Fund, Edward Hashek and John Jors Charitable Fund, Leonard & Sally Robbins Fund, Everett H. Metcalf, Jr. Unrestricted Fund, Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund, Community Concerts Association of Fort Lauderdale Performing Arts Fund, A Fund for the Performing Arts, Linda and Michael Carter Fund, John D. Ryan Fund, Harold D. Franks Fund, Gary J. Scotto Fund, Discretionary Community Fund, Oakland Park Woman’s Club, Deinhardt Charitable Fund, Ann Adams Fund, The Robert Elmore Family Fund, Maxine Powers Hofert Fund, Peter J. and Mary C. Barbare Fund, Barbara and Michael G. Landry Fund for Broward, Peck Family Fund, Julia C. Baldwin Fund, Frederick W. Jaqua Fund
To learn how you can help support Art of Community and other Issues That Matter to Broward, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Nancy Thies at nthies@cfbroward.org or954-761-9503.
