Pioneering
Artist-Led Community Bonds
We’re co-designing and going to market with three investable, artist-led community bonds across the U.S. in 2026.
Photo: Merit Gentile
seeking catalytic funders
We’re seeking forward-minded funders who believe in
a beautiful, critical national opportunity to connect
+ a hunger of cross-sectoral capital
+ proven financial vehicles (e.g. bonds)
+ innovative design (e.g. community ownership and governance)
and to create a blueprint for a new field of cultural investment
that produces healthy communities for generations to come.
Seeking: Immediate $25k support // $400k for go-to-market design
what you’re funding
Your funding powers three investable, artist-led community bonds and a national team connecting capital, learnings, and replication.
+ Urban Health Plan // Bronx, NY
Artist-generated health & wellness > learn more
+ PLaCE // Copake, NY
Cultural & regenerative land stewardship > learn more
+ Ash Studios // Dallas, TX
Artist ownership & creative health anchors > learn more
why does it matter?
the challenge
Trillions of dollars flow each year into health, climate resilience, and economic mobility, yet they rarely reach the upstream drivers of thriving communities. The challenge isn’t a lack of capital, but a lack of mechanisms that align with community-defined solutions.
Research shows that arts and cultural engagement improves mental health, strengthens belonging, and increases civic trust. Communities with active cultural life experience reduced stress, depression, and isolation—demonstrating that creativity and connection are core conditions for shared wellbeing and long-term community resilience.
the data
What if artists were valued as essential partners in every community investment strategy? When artists help shape design, belonging, and cultural infrastructure, communities grow healthier and more resilient. Investing in artists opens new pathways for vibrant communities and thriving places.
the opportunity
who we are
We are a national team of place-based artist and health leaders, national arts and culture and community investment experts, systems builders, movement shapers, and social entrepreneurs, facilitated by CultureBanq and hosted by the New York Federal Reserve Bank’s Making Missing Markets initiative.
We have the experience, expertise, will and capacity to:
+ Co-design innovative financial vehicles
+ Cultivate place-based ecosystems for artist investment
+ Illuminate and serve place-based U.S. initiatives where artists create healthy communities
+ Intermediate and connect local and national fields focused on artist investment
join us
Partner with us to pioneer artist-centered community bonds in the U.S. and establish a new field of cultural investment rooted in connection, creativity, and community-defined wellbeing.
+ View Funder Deck
+ View $25k Ask
+ View $400k Ask
+ Email Penelope Douglas at Penelope@CultureBanq.com