The Arts
The arts are essential to strong, vibrant communities. A dynamic cultural sector is a catalyst for growth, attracting and retaining businesses and visitors. They strengthen neighborhoods and communities by preserving the culture and memories of specific places and have a positive impact on health and well-being. The arts provide spaces to allow people from different backgrounds to engage with one another and opportunities to build community. Perhaps most importantly, they offer personal enjoyment to individuals, groups, and families, and give voice to the human condition.
The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation focuses its arts grantmaking on efforts that strengthen arts organizations and nurture artistic talent. This program focuses on adult artists. Please see the K-12 Education grant program for guidelines for projects that engage school-aged participants.
Please Note:
MDBF not conducting our usual open-submission grant cycle for the Arts in 2023. We are embarking on a year-long process to redesign our grantmaking approach and find ways to become a stronger partner to Arts partners.
We fully expect to continue making grants that strengthen arts organizations and nurture artistic talent.
Updated funding interests, eligibility and application guidelines, and evaluation criteria will be posted in fall 2023.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
MDBF views our arts grantmaking through an equity lens. We are particularly interested in supporting organizations led by people of color, that incorporate arts accessibility into their work, and whose boards and staff reflect the diversity of the Triangle. By accessibility, we mean opportunities to encounter, appreciate, and participate in the arts. We support organizations that embrace and advance DEI practices and work towards equitable access and engagement in the arts.
Grant Opportunities
MDBF is not conducting our usual open-submission grant cycles for K-12 Education or the Arts in 2023.
Applying for a Grant
Check back in fall 2023.