We are midwestern at heart, and national in scope — a responsive and adventurous voice in arts philanthropy.
Artists and their work in communities create opportunities for connection, make space for creative expression, and allow for crucial conversations and unexpected points of view.
The perspectives of artists and creative professionals themselves are integral to our grantmaking process.
Photo courtesy of John Michael Kohler Arts Center
Our goal is to explore new possibilities for arts philanthropy through an artist-driven approach.
Responding to the evolving needs of our community and working across a wide spectrum of lived experiences, we aim to support those that center the unconventional and the exciting.
We believe in trying new things, and chasing inspiration.
Artists are the ultimate problem solvers and our biggest decision makers.
We wonder “what if?” and challenge harmful structures that hold us back.
We brainstorm without a rush to resolve.
We love transformative ideas that are worth the risk.
We are real people, and bring our full selves.
We recognize that details often make all the difference.
We appreciate a multifaceted lived experience.
Inspired by Ruth, we acknowledge complexities of artmaking and community-building, and we thrive to be a space where those particulars co-exist.
We center artists as active agents of change.
We support creative practitioners and cultural organizations with processes rooted in fellowship and imagination.
We are nimble and responsive in the face of ever-evolving art practices and experiences.
We look for inspiring partnerships that foster new models of being in community.
