Empowered by Artists.
 

Third Streaming: Imagination-Powered Cultural Strategy

 

Founded in 2010 by Yona Backer, Third Streaming (3S) is a global cultural strategy practice working at the intersection of art, philanthropy, legacy stewardship, systems thinking, and social change.

We collaborate with artists, cultural institutions, foundations, archives, philanthropists, and mission-driven initiatives to strengthen organizational capacity, steward creative legacies, and develop visionary approaches to the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world.

Our work includes strategic planning, organizational development, fundraising strategy, public programming, legacy planning, artist estate stewardship, and cross-sector collaborations that bridge culture, civic life, philanthropy, and emerging models of social and cultural impact.

Third Streaming brings extensive experience working with artist-endowed foundations and individual artists’ estates, including long-term stewardship of the Alvin Baltrop Trust. We help preserve, activate, and expand cultural legacies while supporting artists’ lasting contributions to art history and contemporary culture.

Our approach is collaborative, mission-aligned, and rooted in long-term vision. Drawing from systems theory, biomimicry, futures thinking, and cross-sector research, we help clients navigate complexity, identify new possibilities, and build strategies grounded in creativity, adaptability, and cultural relevance.

At the core of our work is the belief that arts and culture are not adjacent to social change, but central to it—shaping perspectives, fostering connection, and helping artists, cultural institutions, philanthropists, and communities imagine and build more just, creative, and life-affirming futures.

Areas of Focus

  • Cultural Strategy & Organizational Development

  • Legacy Stewardship & Artist Estates

  • Philanthropy & Fundraising Strategy

  • Public Programs & Convenings

  • Futures Thinking & Systems Change

  • Cross-sector Collaboration & Social Impact

Amsterdam | New York City

info[at]thirdstreaming.com

WhatsApp: +1-917-207-6628

 
The Alvin Baltrop Trust Portal →
 
 
 
 
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Art has the power to raise our consciousness, and reimagine this world.

Contact Us →
 
 
 
Butch Morris, "9/11 Break up to Make up, Choral Interpretations on the Writings of Maurice Blanchot.” Performance, September 11, 2010 (Conduction®), Third Streaming Gallery. Image credit Whitney Browne.

Butch Morris, "9/11 Break up to Make up, Choral Interpretations on the Writings of Maurice Blanchot.” Performance, September 11, 2010 (Conduction®), Third Streaming Gallery. Image credit Whitney Browne.

 
 

What Third Streaming Does

  • STRATEGY, PERFORMANCE & CAPACITY BUILDING

    We provide a comprehensive suite of integrated management consulting tools to strengthen organizational performance for long-term sustainability.

  • PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

    We evaluate programs, outcomes, and processes to improve performance and increase efficiency for meaningful impact.

  • IMPACT EVALUATION

    We measure impact of grant programs using qualitative and quantitative methods.

  • LEGACY PLANNING

    We offer strategies and structures of artists’ legacies and estates management.

See All Services →
 
 

How Third Streaming Works

We partner with our clients to help leverage their existing resources, and empower them to take their organization to the next level. We work to establish a culture of cooperation, integrity, trust, transparency, and joy. We ensure confidentiality, loyalty, and targeted expertise. 

 

By doing so, we help clients:

  • Gain clarity about what they are doing and where they are going

  • Create internal alignment

  • Strengthen the impact of their work

  • Achieve their highest aspirations

Learn more about our Approach & Values →
 
 
 
 
"Social,” Derrick Adams. From the "Paladar" dinner series, October 1, 2014, Third Streaming Gallery. Image credit Whitney Browne.

"Social,” Derrick Adams. From the "Paladar" dinner series, October 1, 2014, Third Streaming Gallery. Image credit Whitney Browne.

 
 

What Third Streaming Believes In

Third Streaming upholds our reputation for passion-driven art leadership by prioritizing artists and artistic practice at the intersection of social justice. We work alongside our clients ⁠— who understand the critical role artists play in larger society ⁠— to make our world a better place. To accomplish this, Third Streaming creates safe places where we ask the hard questions. Real transformation happens when we are willing to get out of our comfort zone and embrace change. Through empowerment and knowledge-sharing, Third Streaming is able to create pathways for new visions to manifest.

More Information About Yona & third streaming →
 
 

Who Third Streaming Works With

  • Nonprofit arts and culture institutions

  • Foundations supporting arts and culture initiatives

  • Artist-endowed foundations

  • Individual artists and artist estates

  • Charitably-minded families and individuals

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Work For Individual Artists

Legacy Planning

Estate Management

Professional Development

Market Advice and Strategic Planning

 

Learn More →
 
 
 
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YONA BACKER

Proven Leadership for the Arts

Yona is an active listener with an exceptional ability to see multiple sides of a situation, which enables her to successfully navigate complex webs of authority and responsibility. She believes collaborative solutions and transparent processes are key to achieve successful outcomes. She is able to see the whole and make the parts fit. Her skills include helping organizations envision their next evolution, and articulating the steps necessary to get there.

LEARN MORE ABOUT YONA & Third streaming →
 
 
Image credit Whitney Browne.

Image credit Whitney Browne.