The Wallace Foundation has awarded grants totaling $2.9 million to eight organizations selected to participate in its field studies program, a research component of its ongoing arts initiative focused on organizations founded by, with, and for communities of color. 

The grantees—arts service organizations committed to advancing communities of color—will each receive between $250,000 and $500,000 to lead research projects intended to bring definition, depth, breadth, and perspective about the nature of the ecosystem of nonprofit arts organizations of color and the communities they serve. The grants are among more than 30 research projects that Wallace will be funding over the next two years as part of its investment in the arts ecosystem. The studies are meant to document and advance the contributions that artists and arts organizations make to the communities of color they serve and celebrate. Recipients include Arts Administrators of Color Network, BIG We Foundation, Cave Canem, First Peoples Fund, IllumiNative, Mosaic America, South Asian American Digital Archive, and World Arts West. 

“The Wallace Foundation is honored to be able to support these leading arts service organizations in their development of evidence-based practices and approaches to best serving their communities,” said Wallace Foundation director of research Bronwyn Bevan. “This part of the arts initiative represents a significant investment in building the arts knowledge base. Through a series of open research calls, we hope to learn directly from organizations and researchers what is most needed by and in the field.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Valentinrussanov)