Islamophobia is escalating rapidly across the country, fueling fear, discrimination and hate crimes against Muslim, Arab and South Asian communities. In recent months, we have borne witness to a growing number of hostile acts including vandalism, intimidation and verbal and physical attacks on vulnerable people. This growing crisis has propelled multidisciplinary funders to seek out new ideas and strategies to be responsive to galloping need.

The funders briefing will be a day of learning and discussion with creative thought leaders, artists and philanthropy professionals on how arts and culture can diffuse the cultural tensions and “othering” that drive Islamophobia. What is the role of art in shifting cultural narratives? What kind of creative partnerships and collaborations can serve as an effective response to encourage pluralism and harmony in our communities? What meaningful mechanisms currently exist or can be adapted to magnify mutual wellbeing?This briefing offers a chance for funders to weigh these and other vital questions and propose concrete next steps for action.

Where Walls Exist, the Arts Provide a Doorway
Zeyba Rahman, senior program officer, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art (DDFIA)

 

 

Hosted by:

ArtPlace America
Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art
Ford Foundation
John Brademas Center of New York University
New York Community Trust
New York Foundation
Philanthropy New York