About Leeway
Our Mission
The Leeway Foundation supports women and trans* artists and cultural producers working in communities at the intersection of art, culture, and social change. Through our grantmaking and other programs we promote artistic expression that amplifies the voices of those on the margins, promotes sustainable and healthy communities, and works in the service of movements for economic and social justice.
*Leeway is a trans-affirming organization committed to gender self-determination, and we use the term “trans” in its most inclusive sense, as an umbrella term encompassing transsexual, transgender, genderqueer, Two-Spirit people, and anyone whose gender identity or gender expression is nonconforming and/or different from their gender assigned at birth.
Our Vision
We at Leeway believe that art is a vital tool for community building, self-expression, and individual and collective transformation. Art can bridge difference, center those who have been on the margins, and challenge and connect communities and individuals to live in peaceful coexistence.
We envision a world in which art flourishes in many forms as the cultural life blood of communities, where all have access to creative expression regardless of who they are, and where art and art-making is considered an essential element of our collective efforts to create a more just, peaceful world where all can live in dignity.
Our Values
Community
We recognize that artists and cultural producers play a central role in building a healthy and vibrant community.
Diversity
We believe that multiple and divergent perspectives stimulate a culture of vitality and hope. We therefore have an emphasis on supporting women and trans artists since their work is not yet equitably represented in mainstream culture.
Continuity
We believe that supporting the current generation of underrepresented artists will stimulate the production of exceptional and inspiring work that will, in turn, kindle the next generation of artists and cultural producers.
Integrity
We are committed to operating all of our programs with a high standard of efficiency, responsiveness, effectiveness, and clarity of both purpose and process.
Opportunity
We believe it is important to elevate and make more visible the work of artists and cultural producers who are creating work at the nexus of art and social change and commit to using resources to provide a wide variety of opportunities for artists to show work and share their expertise, including exhibitions, peer-to-peer networking, and workshops.
Originality
We are committed to helping expand the notion of art beyond the traditional canons, as well as challenging mainstream ideas about what art is, the artists’ place and their connection to communities, by supporting artists and cultural producers whose work explores new territories, challenges traditions, and offers unique and thought-provoking perspectives.
Social impact
We are committed to supporting work that intends a social impact. Work that:
- can alter how we think about ourselves, our society, or our culture by challenging or questioning societal norms including prevailing attitudes about race, class, gender, sexuality, identity, age, and ability;
- inspires action when used as a tool or strategy for organizing and movement building;
- helps to preserve or reclaim traditional cultural practices or is using an artistic practice as a form of resistance or empowerment;
- creates space for expression and building a sense of community; or
- can shift or transform perceptions of power, privilege and the dynamics associated with justice, equality, and/or accountability.