Overview

Art and culture bind us as a community. They remind us of our common experiences, and entice us with new ideas. Art and culture are present in every aspect of our lives — from the historic buildings whose architecture recalls times past, to the mele and hula that tie us to our native culture, to the edgy street art that introduces new perspectives.

As a longtime supporter of Art and Culture in Hawai‘i, the Kosasa Foundation commissioned a survey to understand the issues and needs, challenges and opportunities in this space.

Arts & Culture Organizations in Hawai‘i

Arts, culture and humanities organizations serve communities across out Pae‘āina. They support our economy and inspire us across a range of media.

Organizations

Employees

Annual Revenue

$ 0 M

Assets

$ 0 M

Respondents by Sector

Changes in audience/participants

Changes in Artistic Voices

Access to Space

Our Process

We chose to focus on nonprofit organizations fundamental to advancing arts here at home. We began with framing conversations with artists, funders and nonprofit organizations. We used their mana‘o to create a survey that explored four themes: voice, pathways, access and capacity.

Voice

Elevate homegrown and local artists.

Lift up Native Hawaiian cultural perpetuation and art forms. Be inclusive of cultures, ethnicities, and homelands represented throughout Hawai‘i.

Pathways

Encourage artists to build viable careers.

Grow youth arts education within and outside of schools. Increase support and opportunities for emerging artists. Build career pathways in creative industries.

Access

Expand space available for performances, exhibitions and installations.

Continue advancing exhibitions and installations in outdoor, non-traditional and public spaces. Embrace digital tools and media.

Capacity

Provide the tools and resources nonprofits need to advance a vibrant and healthy arts sector.

Support increased compensation, benefits, professional development and growth opportunities. Identify strategies to fundraise or finance capital improvements and high facilities costs.

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Reflections from the Study

Our audience now includes a broader range of participants, including more kupuna and families seeking creative outlets and cultural engagement. We believe this change is permanent, as it underscores a lasting need for inclusive and accessible arts programming that supports mental well-being and fosters community connections.

In the divisive world we live in today… integrity and fairness has never been so important. There is a critical need for a safe platform for meaningful, insightful and important conversations — and giving the voiceless a place to have a voice.

There is a need to galvanize, elevate and professionalize philanthropic giving and philanthropic culture in Hawai’i. As a community, we are well intended but behind the times.

Access to suitable venues and infrastructure is a persistent issue. Many organizations struggle with finding and maintaining appropriate spaces for performance, exhibitions, and workshops.