Early 2000s
Arts philanthropists and cultural workers meet to discuss equity and social justice. Often convened by Claudine Brown, Nathan Cummings Foundation. Meetings at Grantmakers in the Arts (GIA) conferences, but also at social justice gatherings and cultural organizing spaces.
2005
Hurricane Katrina demonstrates economic, social and cultural inequities and galvanizes more philanthropists, artists and activists into social justice analysis and activities.
2008
The first Art and Social Justice Pre-Conference at GIA annual meeting in Atlanta.
January 2011
Art and Social Justice Working Group (ASJWG) forms at Penn Center in South Carolina, to work inside and outside GIA to advance social justice.
October 2011
Fusing Arts, Culture and Social Change , a major study of arts and cultural funding by large foundations, reports 55% of grants over $10,000 awarded to 2% of arts and culture organizations in 2009.
2012
ASJWG holds 3 organizational meetings, develops strategy shield
2013
Art x Culture x Social Justice Network replaces Working Group, new Steering Committee convenes, adopts network weaving approach, and forms action areas.
2014
Steering Committee hires interim coordinator, develops Race, Place, and Evaluation Action Areas, holds network gathering in Houston.
2015
ACSJN website launched. You are here.