As this year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the writing we’ve shared and the conversations we’ve had on the blog. We’ve shared resources that we’ve read and our own journey towards becoming a more anti-racist organization through strategies like caucusing over the years. This year, BLM protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder sparked a new urgency to these conversations and wider interest in having them (especially in the arts).

Fractured Atlas exists in a unique place in the arts ecosystem. We work with artists and arts organizations, communicate frequently with colleagues across the arts, nonprofit and creative fields, and seek out other organizations who are experimenting with creating more equitable workplaces.

The Fractured Atlas team thinks and writes a lot about working; how we work, how we see others structuring their workplaces, how we think the nature of work can and should change in changing times. Often, this comes through Work. Shouldn’t. Suck. Two of the pieces of workplace culture that we have focused on a lot over the years are remote working and anti-racism in the workplace.

Our mission as an organization is to support artists so that you can make the work that is inspiring and resonant to you and your community. One of the primary ways we help you do that is by helping artists fundraise.

In addition to the multitude of tips and tools we share with artists, we also tackle some of the bigger questions on the minds of artists and people working in the arts. What are the emotional contours of living as an artist? What does the future of the arts look like? How can you be an artist when the whole world is burning?

Every month, Fractured Atlas provides a list of upcoming grant opportunities for artists and arts-based projects so that you can discover more opportunities to get financial support for your work. As a fiscal sponsor of 4000+ artistic projects, we provide access to grants for artists in every discipline.

We are now approaching a year of COVID-19, even though it feels like it’s been either a decade or just an incredibly long month of March. Over the last few months, many organizations, including Fractured Atlas, have been experimenting with various kinds of virtual events. For example, we’ve hosted livestream events highlighting our members’ work. In spring 2020, virtual art events were the exception. Now they are the norm.

When Summer Dawn Reyes found herself frustrated trying to get meaty, non-stereotypical Asian and Hispanic acting roles, she realized that one solution was just to write the roles herself. So, she did. Once she realized how valuable it was for her as a woman of color to be able to express herself fully and authentically as a writer and performer, she expanded her vision to help other creative women of color.

In November or December, nonprofits and projects with fiscal sponsors often send out what’s called an annual appeal. An annual appeal is the final financial ask before the end of the year. Around the holidays, people are feeling generous and reflective about what has been valuable to them in the previous year. And, of course, people and corporations are looking to maximize their tax-deductible donations. Annual appeals are an important part of a fundraising calendar year and something that many established nonprofits and independent creators count on.

One of the major challenges in talking about the environment and climate change is that the scale is almost too big to comprehend. The scale of ice caps melting, sea levels rising, and projected change over decades can feel abstract and overwhelming; too big to really think about and too big to change. Threshold Podcast uses audio as the medium to bring stories about the environment down to a human scale. Through narrative audio work, they highlight the nuances of conversations about the environment and showcase the perspectives of people who are most immediately impacted by environmental issues like oil drilling.