Roles of Arts, Culture, and Humanities Organizations

Service role = Providing services and meeting needs, especially when other sectors fail to provide them. Advocacy role = Representing and advocating for the interests of particular populations, differing views of the public good, and reform. Cultural role = Expressing and preserving values, traditions, and other aspects of culture. Civic role = Building community and fostering civic engagement.

Arts, Culture, and Humanities organizations = Bring performing arts to the public, preserve events, places, and cultures, and promote the distribution of ideas. Education nonprofits = Promote learning from preschool to post-graduate schools, including special needs schools, vocational training, and research institutes. Environment organizations = Dedicated to reclaiming and preserving natural resources, from recycling programs to wetlands management. Animal nonprofits = Include humane societies, wildlife sanctuaries, veterinary organizations, and animal-training nonprofits.

Health nonprofits = Cover organizations concerned with physical and mental health, including hospitals, disease research, and mental health services. Human service nonprofits = Feed the hungry, assist crime victims, provide job training, house the homeless, help people prepare for and recover from disasters, and offer youth programs. International organizations = Focus efforts outside U.S. Vanguard role = Providing opportunities for innovation and experimentation.