Creation and Development Fund is a project of the left-of-center National Performance Network, a nonprofit that promotes “cultural justice,” “systems change in arts and philanthropy,” and equity. 1
The group claims it advocates for supporting artistic projects centered on “racial and culture justice.” 2
Background
In 2024, the Creation and Development Fund focused on several projects including “theatrical visualization of trans and non-binary visibility using reflected beams of light,” 3 and “adoption, foster families, and chosen families through the ancestral practices of Afro-Latine social dance, music, and imagery.” 3
In 2023, the fund supported 19 artistic projects led by “Black, Indigenous, or People of Color,” with roughly 37 percent of lead artists identifying as “trans, gender-nonconforming, non-binary or two-spirit.” 2
Sponsors for the fund include the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the National Endowments for the Arts. 2
National Performance Network
The Creation and Development Fund is a project of the National Performance Network, which has previously received funding from left-of-center organizations including the Ford Foundation and the National Endowments for the Arts. 4 2
The Network claims it advocates for promoting “cultural equity,” and creating a “non-hierarchical ecosystem based on racial and cultural justice” through funding artists and building relations between said artists and their communities. 1 The Network claims to have over 70 partners in 31 states while fiscally sponsoring over 30 artistic projects. 5 New York-based production theater Art2Action is a national partner of the Network, while previously receiving a $43,000 grant from the group in 2021. 6 7
Since 2007, the National Performance Network has received over 4 million in grants from the Ford Foundation. 4 The Network has also received grants from the Tides Foundation, the National Philanthropic Trust, Network for Good, and the Surdna Foundation. 8 9 10 11 The Network is also funded by the Andew W. Mellon Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts. 2
References
- “Mission & Vision.” National Performance Network, May 6, 2022. https://npnweb.org/about/mission/.
- “Creation & Development Fund.” National Performance Network, September 16, 2024. https://npnweb.org/programs/cdf/.
- “Announcing the 2024 Creation Fund Awards.” National Performance Network, August 7, 2024. https://npnweb.org/announcing-the-2024-creation-fund-awards/.
- “Grants Database.” Ford Foundation. Accessed September 29, 2024. https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/awarded-grants/grants-database/?search=%22National%2BPerformance%2BNetwork%22.
- “Network.” National Performance Network, March 3, 2023. https://npnweb.org/network/.
- “Art2Action Inc. (A2A).” National Performance Network, May 16, 2023. https://npnweb.org/contact/art2action-inc-a2a/.
- National Performance Network, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2021. Schedule I.
- [1] Tides Foundation, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (From 990) 2022. Schedule I.
- National Philanthropic Trust, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2019. Schedule I.
- Network for Good, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (From 990) 2020. Scheule I.
- Surdna Foundation, Return of Private Foundation Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990PF) 2023. Page 11 Part XIV.