Christine
EAC did a lot of work around this starting in 2018. We really looked at how we were perceived in our community and how we referred to ourselves when discussing the work that we do.
For instance, past staff referred to us heavily as a grantmaker. In truth, the amount of funding we have to disburse annually is minimal. And, grant funding is only one sliver of what we do as a capacity builder. So, we really honed our columns of service, which include: 1) Capacity builder, 2) Funder and advocate of arts in lifelong learning, 3) Placemaking and placekeeper, and 4) Preserver and promoter of diverse cultures.
This led us to develop a new mission statement, which is below.
In support of our mission, we:
- Provides tools, resources, and financial support to individuals and organizations that specifically utilize the arts and humanities as a platform to engage the broader community.
- Grows the capacity of our sector to ensure extraordinary creative and cultural experiences.
- Creates an environment in which artists and creative industries, representing a wide variety of disciplines, can thrive.
- Funds opportunities for lifelong learning through the arts and humanities experiences in classrooms, institutions, and community spaces.
- Consults on how creativity and culture can be a component in any development or redevelopment project.
- Celebrates Erie's collective identity by preserving and promoting the region's cultural diversity.
I hope this helps!
Best Regards,
Patrick Fisher
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Executive Director
