Arc Fund

The Arc Fund, an initiative by CultureSource, is a $1.5 million grant program designed to support culture-workers of color in Southeast Michigan. Its core mission aligns with addressing historical disadvantages, underrepresentation, and oppression faced by these professionals due to their race. The fund aims to spur growth and provide opportunities for career advancement, contributing to a more equitable and vibrant arts and culture ecosystem in the region. The program specifically targets culture-workers of color living and working full-time in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties in Southeast Michigan. Eligible beneficiaries include arts administrators, artists, arts organizers, curators, and arts programmers whose primary professional focus is advancing arts and culture in the region. The impact goal is to empower these individuals to make significant career leaps, fostering professional development and reducing financial or other obligations that limit their flexibility and growth. The Arc Fund prioritizes individuals prepared to invest in new skills, pursue novel artistic endeavors, or address financial burdens that hinder their career trajectory. It focuses on providing unrestricted awards, professional development experiences, and social networking opportunities. This comprehensive approach reflects a strategic priority to not only offer financial support but also to build capacity and community among culture-workers of color. The expected outcomes include the distribution of 74 unrestricted awards of $15,000 each, enabling recipients to fund various aspects of their professional growth. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of awards distributed, the engagement in professional development, and the overall career advancement reported by the awardees. While a formal theory of change is not explicitly detailed, the initiative implicitly operates on the theory that targeted financial support, skill-building, and networking will directly counter historical inequities, leading to significant career progression and a more inclusive cultural landscape.