Creative SouthCoast 

The Creative SouthCoast Initiative is a partnership between the SouthCoast Community Foundation and the Barr Foundation to celebrate and elevate arts and culture throughout our region.
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Courtesy: DATMA, Photo by Richard Gormley

Courtesy: New Bedford Ballet
Art brings beauty and meaning to our lives; it uplifts and inspires us.
Arts and creative expression play a vital role in thriving and inclusive communities. They enrich lives, bridge divides, spur innovation, and fuel economic growth. In the South Coast:
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95% of residents participated in personal creative activities during the pandemic years
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95% attended in-person cultural events/venues in the two years prior to the pandemic.
Courtesy: Attleboro Art Museum
Art brings insight, empathy, and boost connections and involvement in civic life.
People who engage with arts, especially those involved in creating art, are more likely to be active in their communities and making a difference in the lives of others.

Source: Hearts and Minds: The Arts and Civic Engagement (Nick Rabkin, 2017)

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72% of Americans say arts provide shared experiences with people of different races, ethnicities, ages, beliefs, and identities
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73% say arts “help me understand other cultures better.”
Source: Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (Americans for the Arts, 2023)
Courtesy: DATMA
Art brings vibrancy to our places; it attracts people and investment, and injects new thinking and approaches to community change.
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Arts and cultural production in Massachusetts accounted for $27.2 billion in economic impact, which is 4.2% of the state’s economy.
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135,181 jobs
Source: The U.S. Bureau of Analysis data cited in MassCultural Council 2023 post.
Current Priorities

Building relationships with youth-serving organizations and schools as an effective way to make the arts more accessible and integrated into the community.

Leveraging the expertise and connections of arts intermediaries in the region to increase the impact of the Foundation’s initiatives.

A multi-faceted approach to capacity-building for artists, groups, and organizations is essential for the long-term success of the arts and culture sector. This includes supporting internal management systems, advancing diversity and inclusion, and building philanthropy.

Partnership with Barr Foundation

The SouthCoast Community Foundation is one of only eight community foundations selected by the Barr Foundation to advance diverse and equitable arts and creative expression across the Commonwealth. The Barr Foundation will multiply the contributions made by the SouthCoast Community Foundation nearly sixfold, awarding up to $1,600,000 if the $280,000 match goal is met. These funds will be used to fund research and seed long-term investments in the region’s arts ecosystem.

Belief in Community Foundations: The Barr Foundation believes in the potential of community foundations as catalysts for positive change. The SouthCoast Community Foundation was chosen as a partner due to its commitment to diversity, collaboration with intermediary organizations, support for culturally diverse population groups, and investment in public arts and events. The foundation plays a crucial role in advancing a more equitable, connected, and resilient regional arts sector.

“BankFive is proud to support the Creative SouthCoast Initiative by the SouthCoast Community Foundation. We believe that fostering a vibrant creative economy is essential to the prosperity and cultural richness of our community. By investing in local artists, entrepreneurs, and creative endeavors, we not only enhance the quality of life in our region but also drive economic growth and innovation. Our commitment to this initiative underscores our dedication to building a stronger, more dynamic southcoast for all.”

Anne P. Tangen

BankFive President & CEO

Join the movement!

Please join us in supporting the artists and arts organizations that bring beauty, inspiration, empathy, and connections to our communities.

With your help, we can expand our local networks and knowledge, and increase our services and financial assets for this region’s arts ecosystem. Please consider maximizing your investment in our South Coast communities through a gift to the Creative SouthCoast Initiative, which will help us to maximize the matching opportunity from the Barr Foundation.

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Courtesy: Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition (FRACC)