About The Waterers
We see an urgent need to center land, healing, identity, and time. In short, we must recognize the land and livelihoods that make up the field of creative place-keeping.
Vision
We envision a future where giving is rooted in abundance, trust, and shared power, with underserved artists and culture bearers leading decisions and receiving unrestricted support.
Mission
We work to inspire philanthropy to reimagine how resources are shared by centering underserved artists and culture bearers and honoring healing, identity, land, and cultural stewardship.
Values
We lead with relationships, shared power, and trust, grounded in rigor, accountability, and community stewardship.
Our Process
Community Stability
Artists and culture bearers strengthen belonging, preserve culture, and help communities remain resilient.
Democracy & Civic Voice
Cultural storytelling, culture bearers, and community leadership amplify voices and strengthen civic participation: artists as witnesses, as documenters, and as mobilizers of change.
Rapid Response
Waterers move resources quickly through trusted networks, allowing artists and community leaders to respond in real time to urgent needs
Community Strength
Cultural work creates spaces for connection, reflection, and collective care, supporting mental health and social cohesion.
Trust-Based Giving
Waterers model a community-led approach to philanthropy that centers local knowledge, trust, and direct investment in community leaders.
Meet the waterers
*Emeritus Waterers member
Our History
This work emerged from Local Control, Local Fields, an initiative of ArtPlace America. A people-powered process led by grassroots assemblies that shaped the stewardship and distribution of a significant pool of funding.
Our aim then, as it is now, was to strengthen the local creative place-tending ecosystem and the artists and culture bearers who sustain it.
Assembly Members
Fowzia Adde
Rachel Asleson
Mary Bordeaux
Keith BraveHeart
Anna Claussen
Lauren Carlson
Vicki Chepulis
Nicole Crutchfield
John Davis
Holly Doll
Willow Doll
Michelle DuBray
Julie Garreau
Ashley Hanson
Christopher Luehr
Ka Ly
Abdurrahman Mahmud
Jessica Preuss
Keila Anali Saucedo
Peter Strong
Facilitation team
Maura Cuffie, 2020
Sandra J. Agustín, 2020, 2023 -
Melissa Olson, 2020
