The arts will inspire, raise awareness and connect more people in our diverse community, thanks to new support from the Community Foundation of Broward.
Eight new projects using a variety of art forms – from the stage to the page to the screen – will harness the power of the arts to champion social justice in Broward.
Last year, the Community Foundation began using our arts grants to support opportunities for the arts to deepen knowledge, promote dialogue and encourage positive change in our community. Click here to learn more about the 2021 arts projects.
Now, thanks to local philanthropists who partner with us to create charitable funds that support the arts, we are pleased to announce $475,000 in new grants for arts projects in 2022, including:
- Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, Open Dialogues 3: Stories of Allyship and Change – This final installment of a short-film trilogy will capture personal stories of acceptance, inclusion, and equality for transgender individuals and promotion of allies. Screenings with community partners across Broward will include audience conversations and Q&A sessions.
- Art Prevails Project, Our Voice: Festival of Words – Monthly creative writing workshops for residents, with guided conversations about topics such as racism, cultural discrimination, gender equity and climate change. Culminates with a festival featuring live painting, mini-lectures, vendors, music as well as participants from the workshops. Events available virtually and in-person in the Sistrunk and FATVillage area.
- Ashanti Cultural Arts & Enrichment Center, The Arts: A Creative Bridge to Social Justice – Broaden the Center’s arts platform and community outreach to expand the arts in northwest Pompano Beach. Monthly gatherings will bring residents together to participate in arts workshops and dialogues about racial inequity, health disparities and education. Events will also feature jazz, dance and art exhibits.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County, Work of HeArt – Over a two-year period, quarterly events for mentors, youth and their families will be held where topics such as Hispanic heritage and LGBTQ+ will be explored through the lens of justice, equity, diversion, and inclusion. Each session will provide a safe space for dialogue while using painting, sculpture, poetry or drawing as a tool to connect and build a more inclusive community. Events to be held in Sunrise and Fort Lauderdale.
- Black Violin Foundation, Broward County Intersections – Bring together youth, ages 5-18, for “jam sessions” to encourage musical creativity, develop more Black classical musicians and have conversations about race, in a safe space. Parents and community residents will be invited to participate in dialogues that help cultivate musical talent, build confidence and create a pathway for professional opportunities. The events will take place in Lauderhill and Fort Lauderdale.
- Island City Stage, Black Men Speak: Preventing HIV – A month-long theatrical production, art exhibition as well as Q&A sessions and dialogue talkbacks at the stage in Wilton Manors. The project will address the prevalence and stigma of HIV/AIDS among Black males. Residents will participate in the creative and artistic process by selecting the characters the actor will play and the outcome. The goal is to create awareness, increase education, promote prevention. A video interview with the playwright will be available for future promotion and education opportunities.
- Island SPACE, The Untold Caribbean Story – Uplift and explore the voices and culture of the Caribbean through a series of exhibits, panel discussions, art activities focused on LGBTQ+, emancipation and Hispanic heritage. Residents can participate virtually or in person in Plantation where they will learn, build relationships and develop in-depth perspective on the issues through thought provoking conversations and interaction.
- South Florida PBS, Film-maker: Focus on Social Justice – Expand on a previous successful series by pairing five aspiring student filmmakers from Broward high schools with established film artists to tell their stories. Residents can view the completed films at Savor Cinema that will also be simulcast virtually, followed by Q&A sessions and broadcast locally on PBS. Also, the Broward County Film Society will host events throughout and screen the films at the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival.
Arts and Social Justice
The Community Foundation uses the power of the arts to foster understanding, bridge differences and champion social justice in Broward.
The death of George Floyd and other heartbreaking events in 2020 brought renewed attention to injustices that have plagued our country – and our community – for generations. In addition, the health and economic repercussions of the pandemic have shined a light on racial inequities that persist in Broward and beyond.
With support for dynamic, interactive arts projects that explore social justice opportunities in Broward, we seek to foster communication, raise awareness and create positive change.
Since 2021, nearly $1 million in Community Foundation arts grants have supported theatrical performances, arts exhibits, films, podcasts, workshops and other arts projects that engage residents, breakdown barriers and build goodwill in Broward.
The Community Foundation’s arts impact
The arts are critical to a vibrant community – igniting creativity, fueling community pride and connecting people to each other.
With $3.5 million in arts grants since 2012, the Community Foundation has:
- Supported more than 90 Broward arts projects
- Helped sustain and grow 40 local organizations
- Engaged thousands of residents in arts experiences spread among 21 Broward cities
- Raised awareness and inspired action for social justice issues
Click here to learn more about the Community Foundation's support for the arts.
To find you how you can partner with the Community Foundation to support the arts in Broward, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Nancy Thies at nthies@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
