Strategic Plan 2018-2021

In February 2017, the New England Foundation for the Arts began work on a new strategic plan. In light of the rapidly changing political and social environment for arts and culture organizations, and with new staff and board leadership in place, NEFA’s goal was to craft a three-year plan that is both comprehensive and adaptable to changing conditions.

DOWNLOAD OUR STRATEGIC PLAN

 

VISION

NEFA contributes to a nation where artists flourish and communities celebrate art as essential to a thriving, equitable society.

MISSION

To invest in artists and communities and foster equitable access to the arts, enriching the cultural landscape in New England and the nation. 

 

GOALS

At the core of our plan is a set of goals that maintain and advance NEFA’s historic commitment to investing in artists and the creative process, understand a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility as a key area for growth and impact, and seek to strengthen our core operational stability.

  1. ARTISTS & THE CREATIVE PROCESS 
    Invest in artists and the creative process, and strengthen the capacity of cultural organizations to effectively partner with artists  

  2. NETWORKS & KNOWLEDGE 
    Build and leverage networks, research, and knowledge to strengthen the arts ecosystem, and advocate for artists and creative communities as essential to a thriving society   

  3. EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY 
    Recognize, support, and invest in equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility as essential in all aspects of internal processes and external opportunities to build a strong arts sector  

  4. VALUE, IMPACT & SUSTAINABILITY 
    Serve as a creative partner and responsible steward to advance progress in the sector 

  5. ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE & CAPACITY 
    Operate with efficiency and transparency, cultivating a responsive organizational culture that values organizational success, teamwork and personal development 

 

our values 

  • Artists and the creative process: NEFA values the individual and collective contributions of artists in society, the ingenuity and imagination of the creative process, and is committed to freedom of artistic expression. NEFA believes in amplifying the voices of artists as leaders in our organization, the arts sector, and communities.
  • Equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility: NEFA values an equitable, diverse, and inclusive world, which we interpret as all people having fair access to the tools and resources they need to realize creative and community endeavors. We acknowledge structural inequities that have excluded individuals and communities from opportunity based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography, and strive to counter those inequities in our work. 
  • Knowledge building and sharing: NEFA values the importance of inquiry, information gathering, and collaborative learning that strengthens NEFA’s practices and the arts and culture sector. NEFA promotes varied learning opportunities for diverse stakeholders and partners.
  • Leadership: NEFA believes that leadership opportunities for artists and cultural workers are essential to a stronger arts sector and healthier communities; NEFA values the leadership role that we play to advance arts and culture in the region and the nation.
  • Partnership: NEFA values the interdependence of artists, organizations, and communities as essential to a wholistic, equitable vision of community vitality and artistic success. NEFA values our own partnerships with the National Endowment for the Arts, state arts agencies, funders, advisors, and stakeholders, which enable alignment of resources and strategies that lead to greater effectiveness.
  • Public funding for the arts: NEFA values public commitment to the arts and culture sector as vital to a just, healthy civic life and a robust democracy, and an essential leverage for private investment in the arts.

 

PLANNING CONSULTANTS

AMS Planning & Research
Michele Walter, Managing Director
Lynette Turner, Senior Associate

artEquity
Carmen Morgan, Founder & Director
Lydia Garcia, Special Projects Manager/Facilitator

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