We live
We live in
We live in a
time of
time of
What actions can we take to address the dispiriting and dehumanizing aspects of our fractious culture?
rupture
rupture
rupture
Concerned citizens recognize that something is amiss in our society. Despite unprecedented material advances, Americans report greater feelings of isolation, loneliness and depression than ever before. Confidence in our institutions is low, and political polarization is intensifying.
We believe that the dominant ways of understanding this troubling moment are flawed. As a consequence, the solutions most commonly proposed are, at best, inadequate. To set the conditions for broad-based human flourishing, we must disseminate deeper insights into truly comprehensive solutions for our current problems.
Our task is to form leaders who are prepared to wisely engage with a fractured culture. We have undertaken this work in response to calls for greater support for current and future leaders in business, religion, philanthropy, medicine, education, technology, law, and the arts.
Most people sense that ruptures in our society are a serious problem, yet leaders are seldom taught how to be part of the solution. We aim to fill that gap by forming leaders with the tools to unite and inspire their communities. Through this work of formation, we believe we can empower our leadership class to engage with a deeply fractured world and lead in a way that brings about human flourishing.
The Culture Academy: Through this program, we provide executive education for young and mid-career leaders across society. Offered four times a year, The Culture Academy trains leaders to understand the unique challenges posed by today’s culture and to use their platforms and their influence to lead organizations that contribute to human flourishing and the public good.
Publications: Scholars working under the auspices of the Foundation translate the latest research from the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia into books, pamphlets, reports, and curricula for popular audiences.
Financial and Professional Support: The Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture’s fellows and scholars work in six research programs on formation, religion, capitalism, democracy, the human person, and technology, as well as in two labs, the Thriving Cities Lab and the Survey Lab. All of this unique work is supported by the organizations and individual donors who support the Foundation.
The Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture has sought and will continue to seek support from reasonable people and institutions who share our interest in addressing the ruptures in our society. However, we do not accept support in service to any ideological or partisan objectives, nor from any funders who would seek to influence our intellectual mission. We will always seek a plurality of resources to support our research and operate in ways that build common ground, without favoring resources from the left, right, or center.
Almost every leader I speak with senses that we are living in a moment of rupture, the implications of which are felt in nearly every aspect of our public life.
At the Advanced Studies in Culture Foundation, we take the view that the causes of this fracturing are not ephemeral and must be addressed. We believe that achieving this goal starts with developing a class of leaders who are prepared for the challenge.
It is in this spirit that the Foundation funds important research, develops penetrating insights into the nature of our cultural challenges, and shares them with leaders who are eager for alternatives. Thank you for your interest in our work.
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Supporting the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, University of Virginia.
