Announcing the Artist Development Donor Circle

BAVC Media is proud to announce our newly launched Artist Development Donor Circle. We’d love to share more about this opportunity with you.

Why now?

Since BAVC began in 1976, supporting artists has been at the core of our work. In 1991 we launched our MediaMaker Fellowship (formerly the National MediaMaker Fellowship and the BAVC Producers Institute), and since then we have served hundreds of independent artists working on social-issue film and multimedia projects, with a particular focus on supporting emerging artists from underrepresented communities. MediaMaker films have premiered and won awards at festivals that include Sundance, Tribeca, Hot Docs, and Sheffield and received distribution from companies ranging from Magnolia Pictures to Mubi and beyond. Approximately 60% of MediaMaker supported projects completed in the last decade have been broadcast on public television on Independent Lens, POV, and more while reaching diverse audiences across the nation. Additionally, many of these films and projects have implemented Impact Campaigns that have changed hearts and minds as well as legislation and community goals on some of the biggest issues facing our communities today.

This work is made possible by the funders and supporters of our artist development programs: the National Endowment for the Arts, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The Kenneth Rainin Foundation, Perspective Fund, and Film SF. In a time of immense industry uncertainty, we are eager to expand upon this invaluable support by building a community of donors who can ensure that our programs are not only sustained, but that we can grow to meet the challenges of our current moment, towards supporting artists who are taking risks, and pushing the boundaries and definition of independent film.

For this reason we have decided to launch the Artist Development Donor Circle. We are seeking individuals and partners to come on board to join us in providing critical support for first- and second-time filmmakers, meaningful mentorship opportunities, field building efforts, and hands-on learning opportunities and creative conversations that are open to the public and remove barriers to media arts education. BAVC’s slate of artist development programs builds an engaged national community of creative media artists from diverse fields, increases their capacity for project completion and lasting impact, and inspiring new partnerships and collaboration to support artists as they bring their singular visions to life.

Benefits offered to members of the Artist Development Circle include:

• Direct connections to BAVC Media-supported filmmakers tailored to members’ priorities and interests
• Inclusion in industry events at festivals at which BAVC Media staff and supported filmmakers are present, for example, Sundance, Getting Real, Camden, and the New Orleans Film Festival
• Invitations to special events and gatherings of supported filmmakers
• An inside look into the MediaMaker programs from BAVC Media staff as well as updates on current and past supported filmmakers
• Recognition on BAVC Media’s website and artist development program marketing and materials

How to get involved?

If you are interested in learning more or would like to recommend anyone who might be interested in learning more about the Donor Circle and how to get involved, please let us know by completing this interest form.

Your participation will mean we will continue to be able to provide this critical programming, connect you with filmmakers at the forefront of the field, and support storytellers who are invested in shifting narratives and promoting social justice through their work.

Thank you for being part of the BAVC Community, we are who we are because of all of you!

Paula Smith Arrigoni, Executive Director