Mission & Focus
The Arts Program's mission is to support performing artists with the creation and public performance of their work.
In her will, Doris Duke expressed her interest in assisting “actors, dancers, singers, musicians and other artists of the entertainment world in fulfilling their ambitions and providing opportunities for the public presentation of their arts and talents.” Given this guidance and Doris Duke’s interests during her life, the foundation focuses its support on contemporary dance, jazz and theatre artists, and the organizations that nurture, present and produce them.
Strategy
The Arts Program’s current five-year strategy was adopted in 2007 and has three complementary components:
- Artistic Creation & Distribution – Through national competitive initiatives administered by intermediary organizations, the foundation supports commissioning, production and presentation of new work in each of its fields of interest. Typically these re-granting programs offer additional benefits to supported artists, including professional development, networking opportunities and participation in conferences and other meetings. As of September 2008, Artistic Creation & Distribution grant commitments total $17 million.
- Organizational Transformation – To complement its support for artistic creation and distribution, the Arts Program works to build strong organizations to serve performing artists. Through competitive initiatives administered by intermediary organizations, the foundation offers grants to support bold, innovative approaches to addressing current issues affecting the performing arts: the impact of technology, loss of audiences and/ or changes in leadership. As of December 2008, Organizational Transformation grant commitments total $19.1 million.
- National Sector Building – Recognizing DDCF's role as a national foundation, the Arts Program supports activities that will build strong national performing arts fields.The Arts Program directly supports national organizations critical to the health of dance, jazz, presenting and theatre, as well as national projects that have the potential to improve the health of a given field. As of November 2008, National Sector Building grant commitments total $6.2 million.
Areas Not Funded
In general, the Arts Program does not fund visual arts, museums or galleries; literary arts; symphonies, opera companies, classical chamber music or musical forms beyond jazz; classical ballet companies; avocational arts activities; arts programs for rehabilitative or therapeutic purposes; training and conservatory programs; capital projects; research or publications.
Grants Awarded
As of December 31, 2009, the Arts Program has approved approximately 176 grants totaling approximately $206 million. View Grants Awarded.
Doris Duke and the Performing Arts
Doris Duke was a lifelong patron of the performing arts. She also actively participated in the arts as a jazz pianist and composer, a student of modern dance, and a singer with a gospel choir in New Jersey.