Frontiers in Social Thoughts and Humanity

Article Details Page

Addressing Funding Inequities and Collaborative Strategies in the Arts and Creative Industries

Authors

  • Dr. Anna L. Novak Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Czech Republic
  • Petra M. Dvořáková Department of Arts Management, Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Czech Republic

Keywords:

Funding inequities, arts funding, creative industries, cultural policy

Abstract

Persistent funding inequities continue to challenge the sustainability and inclusivity of the arts and creative industries. This study examines the structural barriers that contribute to unequal access to financial resources and analyzes collaborative strategies designed to mitigate these disparities. Drawing on policy analysis, case studies, and stakeholder interviews, the research highlights how marginalized artists and organizations often encounter systemic disadvantages in funding distribution, limiting their capacity for innovation and growth. The findings reveal that cross-sector partnerships, community-driven funding models, and equitable grantmaking practices can help rebalance resource allocation and strengthen cultural ecosystems. The paper argues for a more transparent and participatory approach to funding that recognizes diverse creative contributions and supports long-term resilience in the sector. By identifying practical frameworks and policy recommendations, this work contributes to ongoing discussions about fostering equity and collaboration in the arts and creative industries.

References

Americans for the Arts. (2022, March 24). Negative Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Nation's Arts and Culture Sector, New Research Shows [Press release]. Americans for the Arts. https://www.americansforthearts.org/news-room/art-in-the-news/negative-economic-impact-of-covid-19-on-nation%E2%80%99s-arts-culture-sector-was-significant-new-government

Bedingfield, W. (2023, June 2). Why Hollywood Really Fears Generative AI. Wired. Retrieved July 31, 2023, from https://www.wired.com/story/hollywood-actors-artificial-intelligence-performance/

Belfiore, E. (2014). SAGE journals, 14(1), 99-107.

Clark, M. L. (2022, September 13). Is AI art causing future shock, or age-old economic anxiety? Only Sky. Retrieved July 31, 2023, from https://www.google.com/url?q=https://onlysky.media/mclark/is-ai-art-causing-future-shock-or-age-old-economic-anxiety/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1690853322780267&usg=AOvVaw20KZhqhZJ68e7GKEraPmMG

Dancing to the Top How Collective Action Revitalized Arts Education in Boston [Pamphlet]. (2016). Arts Education Partnership. https://www.aep-arts.org/wp-content/uploads/Dancing-to-the-Top_How-Collective-Action-Revitalized-Arts-Education-in-Boston.pdf

Florida, R., & Seman, M. (2020, August 11). Lost art: Measuring Covid-19's devastating impact on America's creative economy. Brookings. Retrieved July 31, 2023, from https://www.brookings.edu/articles/lost-art-measuring-covid-19s-devastating-impact-on-americas-creative-economy/

Grants for arts projects: Arts education collective impact grants. National Endowment for the Arts. Retrieved July 31, 2023, from https://www.arts.gov/grants/grants-for-arts-projects/arts-education/collective-impact-grants

Guibert, G., & Hyde, I. (2021). ANALYSIS: COVID-19's impacts on arts and culture [Pamphlet]. National Endowment for the Arts. https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/COVID-Outlook-Week-of-1.4.2021-revised.pdf

Harris, G. (2023, February 28). 'AI will become the new normal': How the art world's technological boom is changing the industry. The Art Newspaper. https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/02/28/ai-will-become-the-new-normal-how-the-art-worlds-technological-boom-is-changing-the-industry

Horwitz, A. (2006, January 31). Who should pay for the arts in america? The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/01/the-state-of-public-funding-for-the-arts-in-america/424056/

Kania, J., Williams, J., Schmitz, P., Brady, S., Kramer, M., & Juster, J. S. (2021). Centering Equity in Collective Impact. Stanford Social Innovation Review, 20(1), 38–45. https://doi.org/10.48558/RN5M-CA77

Lee, B. (2022, May 5). Proposal to increase equity through the arts and humanities introduced in congress [Press release]. Americans for the Arts. https://www.americansforthearts.org/news-room/legislative-news/proposal-to-increase-equity-through-the-arts-and-humanities-introduced-in-congress

Milloy, C. (2021, August 10). Inching toward equity in arts funding, thanks to a racial reckoning. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/inching-toward-equity-in-arts-funding-thanks-to-a-racial-reckoning/2021/08/10/00d9924a-f9e4-11eb-943a-c5cf30d50e6a_story.html

National Endowment for the Arts. (2022, March 15). New data show economic impact of covid-19 on arts and culture sector [Press release]. https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2022/new-data-show-economic-impact-covid-19-arts-culture-sector#:~:text=The%20value%20added%20from%20new,production%20industries%20by%2017.9%20percent

Pressley, N. (2015, July 2). DC council approves funding to create first "unified cultural plan." The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/07/02/dc-council-approves-funding-to-create-first-unified-cultural-plan/

Ragsdale, D. (2017, July 28). Tackling an inequitable arts funding system: A response to the report, not just money. Jumper. Retrieved July 31, 2023, from https://www.artsjournal.com/jumper/2017/07/tackling-an-inequitable-arts-funding-system-a-response-to-the-report-not-just-money/

Schrader, A. (2023, June 21). AI art experts dismiss fears that the technology will destroy humanity. but it could make culture really boring. ArtNet. Retrieved July 31, 2023, from https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ai-experts-cultural-stagnation-2322743

Sean M. Smith, Roxanna Edwards, and Hao C. Duong. (2021). Unemployment rises in 2020, as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved July 31 from https://doi.org/10.21916/mlr.2021.12

Small, Z. (2021, September 2). In a pitched battle over equitable arts funding, Washington, D.C.'s culture sector is tearing itself apart. Artnet News. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/washingtons-arts-organizations-pitted-against-each-other-2004861

Whitten, S., & Field, H. (2023, June 7). AI worries Hollywood actors as they enter high-stakes union talks. CNBC. Retrieved July 31, 2023, from https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/07/ai-worries-hollywood-actors-as-they-enter-union-talks.html

Wolf, M. C. (2020, December 8). Arts funding is facing an existential crisis - to survive, cultural organizations must change how they frame themselves to the public. ArtNet. Retrieved July 31, 2023, from https://news.artnet.com/opinion/arts-funding-op-ed-melissa-cowley-wolf-1929365

Downloads

Published

2025-01-01

How to Cite

Dr. Anna L. Novak, & Petra M. Dvořáková. (2025). Addressing Funding Inequities and Collaborative Strategies in the Arts and Creative Industries. Frontiers in Social Thoughts and Humanity, 2(01), 1–6. Retrieved from https://irjernet.com/index.php/fsth/article/view/121