The Arts Program of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) provides support to exemplary performing arts institutions and national service organizations for the performing arts.

Cultural Planning Project I

AEA was commissioned by DDCF in 2005 to assist in researching, designing and launching a new funding program for University-based performing arts presenters.

AEA’s research into the presenting field indicated that there is great momentum in the university presenting field and that a targeted investment strategy would strengthen the ability of these presenters to support and collaborate with performing artists and contribute to the presenting field as a whole. 

AEA worked with DDCF to design criteria for a new funding program for leading university-based presenters, the first of its kind. AEA helped define indicators of leadership in the field, key issues and areas of need, and guidelines for the program.  DDCF launched the Leading College and University Presenters Program in 2006, which awards grants to support artistic programs and matching endowments for leading university-based presenters.

Cultural Planning Project II

AEA was again commissioned by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) to research current opportunities and barriers to international cultural exchange, with particular emphasis on exchange between the United States and the Islamic world.

AEA reviewed the current context for international cultural exchange and Islamic/U.S. relations and prepared a briefing paper which outlined the challenges and opportunities involved in promoting exchange and the overarching issues for future investment. 

AEA facilitated a meeting of international arts funders as a first step to coordinate funding for international cultural exchange and developed a strategic framework for DDCF’s investment.  As a result of this work, AEA was commissioned to undertake a similar review on cultural relations between Europe and Islamic countries for a special initiative of the United Nations.

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