Rebecca Blunk Fund

The Rebecca Blunk Fund at the New England Foundation for the Arts was established in 2014 in memory of Rebecca Blunk (1953-2014), celebrating her 29 years of service to NEFA and her abiding passion for the arts. Honoring Rebecca’s desire that the fund support artistic creation, connection, and curation, the Fund awards annual grants to New England artists whose work demonstrates creative excellence and professional accomplishment. Rebecca Blunk Fund awards provide unrestricted funds to support artists’ professional development and creation of new work. Thanks to generous support from our community, the Fund has raised over $150,000 thus far and supported 18 artists living and working in New England. NEFA welcomes donations to the Fund on an ongoing basis; as with all donations to NEFA, donations to the Rebecca Blunk Fund are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Eligibility and Process

Please note the Rebecca Blunk Fund does not accept applications. NEFA staff work in collaboration with external advisors to ensure the awardees reflect Rebecca’s dedication to artists and the creative process. NEFA is proud to preserve Rebecca’s legacy by supporting the excellent diversity of artists enriching our New England communities. We encourage you to learn more about the experiences of some of the artists we’ve supported through this program.

Donate to the rebecca blunk fund 

Learn about the most recent awardees from 2023

About Rebecca Blunk

Rebecca came to NEFA from the Nebraska Arts Council in 1985 as the director of performing arts and then served as deputy director for ten years before being named executive director in 2004. Under her leadership, the organization brought important resources to New England, strengthening its capacity to connect artists and communities through regional, national, and international programs.

A tireless champion of the arts – from public art, the visual arts, music, dance, theater, and puppetry – Rebecca’s unwavering presence was felt across the arts and culture landscape, through her work in performing arts creation and touring, the creative economy, Native American arts, and cultural exchange on an international scale. Throughout her career, she derived deep personal reward from the artists and administrators with whom she worked.