Our Values
The free flow of
information and ideas is essential to healthy societies. Our work offers
space for creative expression, helps all people access opportunities for
expression and supports efforts to ensure that media systems and
policies are open and equitable.
Our Work
Free expression is central to all other freedoms. As
change in our communities becomes more constant and as ideas,
technologies and people are moving more rapidly within and among
countries, our work promotes the right of all people to connect more
deeply with others and find meaningful ways to participate. We do this
by investing in creative and intellectual capital. MORE
Worldwide, our work focuses on promoting public
policies that ensure equal access to all media platforms and
strengthening public service media. We also invest in the creative
capital of underserved communities by supporting arts spaces that embrace
marginalized voices and diverse audiences. In addition, we support
institutions that provide public discussion and exploration of struggles
for justice, freedom and human dignity.
In the United States, we support religious leaders
and institutions that engage in public efforts to promote justice and
equity as well as efforts through the media to promote informed, diverse
and necessary dialogue on the public role of religion.
All of this work focuses on developing a
better-informed and engaged citizenry and encouraging creative
contributions to public participation in civic life.
Our Focus
Supporting next-generation arts spaces
Arts and culture play a vital role in the creation of more just and vibrant societies. Our work aims to promote public discourse, cultural pluralism and artistic creativity through the development and sustainability of exemplary arts facilities and key networks, particularly in diverse communities. Throughout the world, independent arts organizations are emerging and creating unique and vitally needed spaces where citizens interact in an expanded public sphere. We support exemplars of a new 21st-century arts leadership who share knowledge, build capacity and serve as models of artistic innovation, cultural collaboration, inclusion and social partnership.
Orlando Bagwell, Director
Advancing public service media
Media can help people make sense of the issues that are central to
their lives and communities. Yet even as new technologies are making
media ubiquitous, public interest values in media are threatened by
access and control issues, diminishing the potential for millions to
become more informed and engaged in the critical matters shaping the
future of our world. To expand media's role in building stronger and
freer societies, we are working to develop a vibrant public interest
media service for the 21st century in the United States and in countries
around the world. Our grants will help create a pipeline of high-quality
content; strengthen the technology and distribution systems that allow
people to access and contribute to this material; and boost public
discussion and research about the ways in which media can better engage
and inform all citizens.
Orlando Bagwell, Director
Media rights and access
How media systems and technologies are governed is critical to ensuring that all people have access to the accurate and diverse sources of information that are critical to effective citizenship in a rapidly changing world. We are working to ensure that all people, especially the poor and marginalized, have access to a diverse media system. Our strategies respect and promote the right of countries and communities to shape media policies that work most effectively for their own citizens. Our efforts promote smart public policies that protect the public interest, effective oversight and new technologies that advance openness, fairness and excellence across global media, including high-speed Internet and wireless connections for all, robust privacy protections, and digital transparency and organizing tools.
Orlando Bagwell, Director
Religion and the public sphere
Religion has always played a central role in American public life. In
recent times, that role has increased notably as religious voices
influence policy decisions, debates on values and morality, and the
public policy agenda. The aim of this U.S. work is to increase the
presence and effectiveness of diverse religious perspectives dedicated
to social justice and to encourage a rigorous and informed public
engagement of religion and its role in the public sphere.
Orlando Bagwell, Director