Learn Our History
Mission Statement
Frontline Arts Buffalo seeks to support frontline arts and cultural organizations in Buffalo in our transition from conditions of precarity to viability. We are a collaboration among artists, arts administrators, engaged citizens, justice advocates, and policy researchers.
We want to call attention to the work that frontline arts institutions have done in the past and continue to do today. We maintain communities, contribute to society, and create culture, often with very limited resources and public recognition.
We want to engage the public in conversations about how to support these organizations and advocate for the importance of funding them in an equitable and sustainable way.
Background
What We Are
Frontline Arts Buffalo is a grassroots coalition comprised of non-profit cultural and arts based organizations in Buffalo, New York.
Who We Are
FAB’s partner organizations are:
African American Cultural Center
El Museo
Locust Street Art
Ujima Company
Equally important, the FAB coalition is comprised of frontline community members and artists.
Why We Came to Be
It is not a secret that the arts are consistently underfunded and that the social impact of the arts is under appreciated. FAB is a coalition of arts based organization advocating and raising funds for the continuation of the arts in Buffalo. But it doesn’t stop there. FAB is committed to advocating for its community members to ensure environmental, economic and social justice for underrepresented community members.
When We Came to Be
Although Frontline Arts Buffalo partner organizations have been serving frontline communities for decades, the FAB coalition formed in 2018.
Where We Are
FAB, itself, is completely online. Its partner organizations, however, can be found throughout Buffalo.
Planning for Change
As we begin this process, our first FAB Actions are to:
Dream
Conduct community forums at the four core institutions: the African American Cultural Center, Locust Street Art, Ujima Company, and El Museo
Build
Collect and preserve oral histories in video interviews with key figures in frontline arts organizations, past and present
Grow
Collect and document archival material relating to frontline arts organizations
Record
Record personal stories and memories from community members involved with frontline arts organizations
Connect
Create a website hub for information about frontline arts organizations
Share
Analyze and publish our findings as a resource for future activities and campaigns