This letter from the Collective Arts Think Tank in New York should be addressed and sent to every arts funder.    It examines what's working and what's not working in strategies to supporting artists and the creation of work.  Scan the highlights below, but be sure to read the whole letter (linked above) to get to the depth of the issues that work for the success or detriment to artists and organizations.

What's working:

1. Artists that make work on the work's schedule
2. Tailor-made management strategies for projects or artists
3. Knowing the real costs
4. Generosity among colleagues
5. Multi-year funding and presenting
6. Subsidized rentals

What's not working:

1. Failing to recognize the real costs
2. Terminology barriers
3. Venues as underresourced stop-gaps
4. Failing to support artists for the long haul
5. One size does not, in fact, fit all
6. Mythologies around ideas of community
7. The shortcomings of economic impact arguments