National Exchange on Art and Civic Dialogue

About this grant

The Animating Democracy Initiative was launched in 1999, with support from the Ford Foundation, to foster artistic activity that encourages civic discussion on important contemporary issues and to promote the concept of arts-based civic dialogue. The Flint Youth Theatre (FYT) was one of 32 arts and humanities organizations that received funding from the initiative to experiment with different approaches to civic dialogue. Funding will support a four-day conference to present the findings of the initiative. FYT will act as host along with various institutions at the Flint Cultural Center. The conference will feature case presentations by projects from across the country and provide opportunities for attendees to examine artistic and dialogue methodologies and philosophies that illuminate the challenges and opportunities of arts and humanities-based civic dialogue work; participate in peer interaction and exchange across artistic disciplines and between other fields such as libraries, journalism and civic dialogue; and experience arts-based civic dialogue, performances by FYT and other artists, as well as creative projects in the Flint community.Americans for the Arts has been working to strengthen communities through the arts for 40 years. It is dedicated to presenting and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.