• Work
  • Timeline
  • Grantee & Partner Map
  • Media

What is LINC?

Launched as a ten-year initiative in 2003, Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC) represents a philanthropic experiment in using information, money, strategy, and partnerships to effect change in the support system for artists in the United States. LINC’s mission was to improve the ability of artists to create work, build social capital, and contribute to democratic values. Between 2003 and 2013, LINC invested in the work of more than 100 partner organizations and disbursed over $18 million to support innovative programs, groundbreaking research, catalyctic partnerships, knowledge-sharing, and other work in pursuit of that mission. 

  • Cornerstones

    The story of how LINC was founded, its primary programs, and its overall evolution. This section illuminates LINC’s values in practice over the course of its ten-year lifespan.

  • Research

    A complete index of LINC’s published research, highlighting critical findings that can contribute to innovative practices going forward. 

  • Case Studies

    Select examples from LINC’s grantee portfolio, which highlight shifts in thinking and practice to which LINC contributed.

  • researchCCSPPS

    From Rust Belt to Artist Belt: Challenges and Opportunities in Rust Belt Cities

    Community Partnership for Arts and Culture

  • Share
  • researchASSP

    How Artist Space Matters: Impacts and Insights from Three Ca

    Metris Arts Consulting: Anne Gadwa, Ann Markusen, Nathaniel Walton

  • researchASPS

    Building Community: Making Space for Art

    Urban Institute: Maria Rosario Jackson

  • researchAS

    Developing Affordable Space for Artists: A Summary of Development Projects Funded by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

    LINC, LISC, Urban Institute, Community Partners Consultants

  • cornerstones

    Creative Communities

  • International Sonoran Desert Alliance

    Share

    International Sonoran Desert Alliance

  • cornerstones

    Earliest Beginnings

  • case studies

    Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center

  • Chicago Artists Resource

    Share

    Chicago Artists Resource

  • cornerstones

    From Research to Practice: LINC

  • researchASHCCPCC

    Investing in Creativity: A Study of the Support Structure for U.S. Artists

    Urban Institute: Maria-Rosario Jackson, Ph.D., Flroence Kabwasa-Green, Daniel Swenson, Joaquin Herranz, Jr., Kadija Ferryman, Caron Atlas, Eric Wallner, Carole Rosenstein, Ph.D.