We are pleased to announce that A Far Cry was selected to participate in the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative – as announced earlier today on the Barr Foundation’s blog. A partnership between two Boston-based foundations - Barr and The Klarman Family Foundation – the initiative is a $25 million, six-year investment in 29 arts and cultural organizations from across Massachusetts. Participating organizations receive flexible, multi-year operating support grants, in addition to training and technical assistance from TDC, a nonprofit consulting and research firm. A Far Cry’s engagement in the initiative begins with two grants totaling $300,000 from Barr and the Klarman Family Foundation over three years - a ringing endorsement of the organization’s work and potential.
“A Far Cry is honored to have received a grant from the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative. Such support has significant impact for our organization, as we continue to grow and develop, and we are deeply grateful for such generosity,” said Tom Novak, Chair of the Board of Directors at A Far Cry.
“Organizations like A Far Cry are the cultural hearts of their communities,” said San San Wong, Director of Arts & Creativity for the Barr Foundation. “They are sites of public assembly and dialogue, often working to foster understanding and connection across cultural differences. It is our privilege to support A Far Cry in this journey to further strengthen its financial health and capacity to adapt to change – that it might deepen and continue this work for years to come.”
“Arts organizations, including A Far Cry, play a critical role in the health of our communities,” said Laura Sherman, Director, Greater Boston Grantmaking for The Klarman Family Foundation. “We are committed to strengthening this cohort of 29 arts organizations across the Commonwealth that have the ability to connect and enliven communities through culture, tradition and creative expression, and we are proud to be a part of this initiative.”
Representing diversity across artistic disciplines, geographic reach, stages of organizational development, and budget sizes, the 29 organizations participating in the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative are:
· Academy of Music Theatre (Northampton)
· A Far Cry (Boston)
· Barrington Stage Company (Pittsfield)
· Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (Boston)
· Boston Modern Orchestra Project (Malden)
· Cape Ann Museum (Gloucester)
· Community Access to the Arts (Great Barrington)
· Community Art Center (Cambridge)
· Community Music School of Springfield (Springfield)
· Company One Theatre (Boston)
· The Dance Complex (Cambridge)
· Design Museum Boston (Boston)
· Double Edge Theatre (Ashfield)
· Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts (Boston)
· Featherstone Center for the Arts (Martha's Vineyard)
· Fitchburg Art Museum (Fitchburg)
· Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (Great Barrington)
· Merrimack Repertory Theatre (Lowell)
· New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks!(New Bedford)
· New Bedford Symphony Orchestra (New Bedford)
· Norman Rockwell Museum (Stockbridge)
· Now + There (Boston)
· Payomet Performing Arts Center (North Truro)
· Provincetown Art Association and Museum (Provincetown)
· Raw Art Works (Lynn)
· The Record Co. (Boston)
· SpeakEasy Stage (Boston)
· Worcester Art Museum (Worcester)
· Zeiterion Theatre (New Bedford)
A Far Cry and each participant in this initiative will receive multi-year, unrestricted operating grants. Additionally, through a grant to TDC, a nationally recognized nonprofit consulting and research group, organizations will also receive customized training and technical assistance, and be eligible for supplemental funds for targeted research, capacity building, and/or pilot projects. Last week, the foundations made the first set of three-year grants under the new initiative, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a six-year journey of learning, collaboration, and growth.
For more information about the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative page, including the ideas underlying the effort, key elements of the experience for participating organizations, selection criteria, and evaluation findings, visit:
https://www.barrfoundation.org/what-we-do/barr-klarman-massachusetts-arts-initiative
“At a time when the arts are ever more important to healing our world, we are deeply grateful to the Barr Foundation and Klarman Family Foundation for once again demonstrating how deeply they care about and understand the needs of arts organizations. Thanks to the BKMAI, A Far Cry looks forward to working with the foundations and with our fellow cohort members to become even more effective in making a difference in our community.”
-Dr. Lisa Wong, Interim Executive Director, A Far Cry
About A Far Cry: A Far Cry is an 18-member Grammy-nominated string ensemble in Boston. Founded in 2007, the self-conducted orchestra operates as a democracy in which decisions are made collectively and leadership rotates among the players (Criers). Its mission is to increase the public’s understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of classical music. A Far Cry has broadened the canon of music for string orchestra through new arrangements and commissions. To date, AFC has played over 20 world premieres. Equally committed to interdisciplinary collaborations, AFC has performed with artists from the worlds of dance, art and song. The core of A Far Cry’s work lies in its Boston programming, which, for the 2018/19 season, is comprised of a neighborhood series in Jamaica Plain and formal residencies at the New England Conservatory and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. A Far Cry takes its programming on tour, performing this season in New York City, Los Angeles, Santa Fe, and at Cornell, Wellesley and Yale Universities. It also operates its own record label, Crier Records, which brings the ensemble’s acclaimed performances to a wider audience. For more information, visit afarcry.org.
About the Barr Foundation: The Barr Foundation’s mission is to invest in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts. Based in Boston, Barr focuses regionally, and selectively engages nationally, working in partnership with nonprofits, foundations, the public sector, and civic and business leaders to elevate the arts, advance solutions for climate change, and connect all students to success in high school and beyond. Founded in 1997, Barr now has assets of $1.7 billion, and has contributed more than $838 million to charitable causes. For more information, visit barrfoundation.org or follow @BarrFdn on Twitter and Facebook.
About The Klarman Family Foundation: The Klarman Family Foundation seeks to identify areas of unmet need and advance solutions to addressing them. Underlying all of the Foundation’s work is a passionate belief in the promise and importance of creative thinking, strategic leadership and strong organizations to help bring about change. As a way to learn and create greater impact, the Foundation values acting in partnership with other funders. Its work spans regionally, nationally and internationally and focuses on advancing understanding of the biological basis of health and illness; supporting the global Jewish community and State of Israel; expanding access to vital services and enrichment opportunities in Greater Boston; and ensuring a healthy democracy. Established in 1990 by Beth and Seth Klarman, the Foundation is located in Boston, MA. For more information, visit klarmanfoundation.org.
A Far Cry Media Contact
Ali Fessler
Marketing and Development Coordinator
ali@afarcry.org
617-553-4887
Barr Foundation Media Contact:
Stefan Lanfer
Director of Communications
slanfer@barrfoundation.org
617-854-3404
