Update on Americans for the Arts Events in 2023

Thursday, February 16, 2023

A six-piece brass band performs on stage in front of an enthusiastic audience, against a colorful backdrop that reads: Annual Convention 2022.

During 2022’s Strategic Realignment Process, we worked with members and other stakeholders to identify the specific and unique role of Americans for the Arts within the arts and culture community. While we continue to evaluate and evolve our offerings, here’s the latest update on some of our flagship events, including the National Arts Action Summit, Annual Convention, and the National Arts Marketing Project Conference.


Mr. John W. Haworth

Building a Foundation for Native Arts & Culture Councils

Posted by Mr. John W. Haworth, Dec 06, 2022


Mr. John W. Haworth

Native Arts & Culture Councils, a two-year pilot project funded by the Ford Foundation, is designed to help Native communities develop Arts and Culture Councils similar to existing local arts agencies across the United States. In the initial stages of this initiative, this group of tribal-led, community-based organizations is making important contributions to our national cultural discourse and paving the way for broader participation by other tribes. The Native cultural field has changed dramatically in the last thirty or so years. There is broader acceptance that there should be no “speaking about us without us,” and Native leaders, artists, and cultural organizations want their cultural perspectives recognized, documented, understood, and celebrated. Community-anchored and community-informed work includes a variety of approaches: Some of the tribal organizations are committed to advancing tourism to strengthen the local economy; others focus on supporting local artists (including artist directories, organizing local art markets, and commissioning public art projects); still others seek to develop programmatic capacities related to public events, classes and workshops, film screenings, youth projects, ceremonial activities, and heritage preservation and oral history projects. There is value in having input from people living in tribal communities and having their perspective on how best to develop local cultural assets that suit their community’s needs.

Read More

Oliver Nell

Recognizing the Value of the Arts in Oxford, Mississippi

Posted by Oliver Nell, Nov 28, 2022


Oliver Nell

Only a few years ago, the business community in Oxford skewed heavily toward traditional notions of economic growth and profitability, which inevitably bred a bias toward large manufacturing businesses, insurance, finance, and healthcare. A smaller-scale entrepreneur community, particularly more creative and artistic entrepreneurs, was not cultivated to the degree it should have been. This community didn’t attract attention because it wasn’t necessarily seen as vital to the health of the local economy. In 2015, Oxford’s local arts agency, the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council (YAC), recognized this was an issue for the community. They saw that a major part of the local economy—the arts sector—was not being taken seriously as an economic driver. The numbers, they found, were on their side, demonstrating that the arts made up more than a negligible portion of the local economy. The YAC began strategizing with the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce on how they could best capitalize on the arts ecosystem in town, which was finding a way to survive even without the necessary value placed on it. Together they began looking for ways to integrate the separate arts and business communities such that their complementary skill-sets and capacities could meet their mutual goals and needs.

Read More

Rep. Bonamici Introduces CREATIVE Act to build on the NEA’s Support for Local Arts Agencies

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Smiling person with short dark hair, wearing a red blazer top and pearls, posed in front of an American flag.
Category: 

On October 14, 2022, Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) introduced the Capital, Repairs, and Employment for Art Talent to Improve Visibility Everywhere (CREATIVE) Act. The CREATIVE Act would expand access to capital for facilities by allowing local arts agencies, museums, and 501c3s to receive grants of up to $5 million to construct and acquire new facilities, maintain and improve existing facilities, or hire staff or produce art at existing facilities.   

Americans For The Arts Debuts Improved Arts + Social Impact Explorer

Friday, May 20, 2022

Screenshot of the Social Impact Explorer wheel, with 30 wedges in a rainbow of colors.

Americans for the Arts has introduced a new 2.0 version of the Arts + Social Impact Explorer, the most comprehensive clearinghouse of example projects and research about the role of arts in community life available today. The Explorer provides examples, datapoints, links to research papers, and lists of active organizations to illustrate the impact of arts and culture in 30 aspects of community life from public health to transportation, safety, community cohesion, and innovation. 

Americans for the Arts Honors Three Arts Leaders For Enriching Communities Through the Arts

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Three smiling people side by side, the first wearing glasses, a jean jacket, and a beaded necklace and earrings; the second wearing a black shirt posing against a black background; the third wearing a black shirt, green blazer, and gold necklace.
Category: 

Americans for the Arts announced today the recipients of the 2022 Americans for the Arts Leadership Awards at Americans for the Arts’ Annual Convention. Given annually, the awards recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations committed to enriching their communities through the arts.

Adriane Jefferson Honored with 2022 American Express Emerging Leader Award

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Person with long dark hair wearing a black top and raising her left hand to her chin. She stands against a dark background.

The American Express Emerging Leader Award recognizes visionary leadership by an individual who is a new and/or young arts leader who demonstrates an ability to engage and impact their community. Adriane Jefferson is currently the Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of New Haven and the Executive Director of New Haven Festivals Inc., where she is leading the city on cultural equity and anti-racism initiatives. 

Julie Garreau Honored with 2022 Selina Roberts Ottum Award for Arts Leadership

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Smiling person with shoulder length dark hair wearing glasses and a denim jacket, standing in front of Indigenous structures.

The Selina Roberts Ottum Award for Arts Leadership recognizes an individual working in arts management who has made a meaningful contribution to their local community and who exemplifies extraordinary leadership qualities. Julie Garreau (Lakota name Wičhaȟpi Epatȟaŋ Wiŋ) is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and is the executive director of the nonprofit Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP) in Eagle Butte, South Dakota.


Jack King

Counties poised to pursue solutions through Creative Counties Placemaking Challenge

Posted by Jack King, Apr 29, 2022


Jack King

The National Association of Counties (NACo) and Americans for the Arts are pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 Creative Counties Placemaking Challenge, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. NACo and Americans for the Arts invited small- and medium-sized counties to assemble a team of county leaders, local artists and community stakeholders to imagine how art can be used to solve local challenges. From Potter County, Pa.’s “Highway to the Stars” through Cherry Springs State Park to the storied and breathtaking beaches of Hawai’i County, Hawai’i’s Puna district, the winners represent the geographic and social diversity of the nation as a whole. The teams will seek to address a wide array of challenges confronting their local communities, from drug addiction to climate resilience. Over the next 10 months, Americans for the Arts experts will provide virtual training and mentoring of these teams as they explore the arts as an applied strategy for meeting policy objectives. On July 25, the counties will participate in an in-person convening in Adams County, Colo., in conjunction with NACo’s 2022 Annual Conference.

Read More

Centering Equity and Inclusion, Americans for the Arts Launches ‘Arts & Economic Prosperity 6’ Study

Data Collection for Sixth National Study of Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry Set to Begin May 1

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Americans for the Arts logo
Category: 

Americans for the Arts is pleased to announce the launch of Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), the sixth national study of the economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry. Building on its 25-year legacy, AEP6 will examine the economic power that the arts and culture wield in 387 participating communities representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each community will receive a customized economic impact report about the number of jobs supported, government revenue generated, and economic activity of its nonprofit arts and culture sector.

New Study Highlights How the Arts Make Streets Safer

Monday, April 25, 2022

Bird's eye view of a city street with a colorfully painted striped mural on the median where people stand and walk bikes.
Category: 

Can art improve roadway safety? A new report examines the impact of art in the streetscape by comparing historical crash rates and real-time behavior of motorists and pedestrians at 22 “asphalt art” sites before and after the projects were installed, with illuminating results.

Counties Poised to Pursue Solutions Through the Arts

Six Counties Selected to Receive Specialized Resources

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Text graphic that reads: Creative Counties Placemaking Challenge, Building Arts-Driven Community and Economic Development Solutions

The National Association of Counties (NACo) and Americans for the Arts today announced six winners of the 2022 Creative Counties Placemaking Challenge, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. In the coming months, Americans for the Arts will provide virtual training and expertise as the teams explore arts-based strategies to meet policy objectives.

National Endowment for the Arts Releases Equity Action Plan

Thursday, April 14, 2022

National Endowment for the Arts logo
Category: 

Today, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) joined more than 90 federal agencies in releasing an Equity Action Plan in accordance with President Biden’s Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. The order outlines a whole-of-government mandate to advance equity for all Americans through a comprehensive approach to all government practices.

Federal Art in Architecture Program Request for Comments: Deadline April 4

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Tall ionic marble columns in the foreground of a photo of a multi-story interior courtyard space with a spouting fountain. Visible in the background are arches lining the walls and a matching set of marble columns.
Category: 

The public comment period aims to better understand how the Art in Architecture program can promote the goals articulated in a January 2021 Executive Order signed by President Biden, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” as well as promoting civic engagement and participation and democratic values, and advancing social ties and economic development at the community level. 

Americans for the Arts Submits Congressional Testimony on NEA Funding and Local Arts Agencies

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Blue line drawing of the US Capitol dome
Category: 

Americans for the Arts submitted testimony to the U.S. House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee calling for “…funding for both the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities at no less than $201 million each for FY 2023.” This is the level that the Biden Administration proposed for FY 2022, and was approved by the House; however, the final level in the Omnibus appropriations bills is $180 million.

Nominations Open for the 2022 Annual Leadership Awards

Monday, March 14, 2022

Close up photo of the leadership award, a clear glass square with half of the blue Americans for the Arts star, being held by a person in a yellow cardigan.

Americans for the Arts is now accepting nominations of arts leaders from your community for the 2022 Annual Leadership Awards. The deadline to nominate an arts leader for the Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award, the American Express Emerging Leader Award, and the Selina Roberts Ottum Award is Friday, April 8.

Mid Atlantic Arts Launches Accessibility Resource Committee

Friday, March 4, 2022

Logos for Mid Atlantic Arts and Americans for the Arts

Mid Atlantic Arts and Americans for the Arts are continuing to develop a series of educational and professional development resources for the state, county, and local arts agencies in the mid-Atlantic region. Artists, administrators, and other arts and culture professionals with disabilities or who are active members of the disability community and who currently reside in the Mid-Atlantic Region are invited to apply by March 31, 2022.


David Andersson

Painting By Numbers: How Cities Can Use Data to Support the Arts

Posted by David Andersson, Feb 25, 2022


David Andersson

Although cities increasingly rely on data to help shape policy and identify service gaps, there is often skepticism from both the creative sector and government about whether metrics can meaningfully capture the impact of the arts. In a field where variety of creative expression is fundamental, how do you count what really counts? For cities that recognize their artists and cultural institutions as a critical part of the economy and essential to quality of life for residents, arts data can be a powerful tool to advocate for culture alongside other city services. Data can also help city leaders understand who is and isn’t being served by government arts dollars and expand access to arts experiences in every community. Through best practices and case studies, Arts Data in the Public Sector: Strategies for Local Arts Agencies aims to help arts agencies and city leaders show measurable impact, identify priority policy areas, and establish more equitable and inclusive practices to promote access to the arts across communities.

Read More

Mr. John W. Haworth

CERF+ — The Artist’s Safety Net: Providing Emergency Relief for the Cultural Sector

Posted by Mr. John W. Haworth, Feb 24, 2022


Mr. John W. Haworth

The work of CERF+ is vital within the larger context of the complex challenges cultural organizations and individual artists have managing—and surviving—disasters and emergencies. As emergency planning has become an ever-higher priority for cultural facilities throughout the country, CERF+ puts key strategic questions on the table: How do local cultural communities prepare for the enormous challenges of floods, fires, earthquakes, and storms? How do we meet the economic and human costs of such life-changing circumstances? With major support from foundations and other funders, local arts agencies across the country have developed programs to provide grants to individual artists. Though much of this support is earmarked for creative work, there is a growing recognition of what is required to sustain creative careers over many years or a lifetime. CERF+ is committed to helping artists sustain their careers and develop the tools and support to protect and preserve their livelihoods, studios, and creative output.

Read More

The Conference Board and Americans for the Arts Release ‘Business Support for the Arts 2021: Art for Everyone’s Sake’

Friday, February 18, 2022

10 smiling, diverse faces make up the cover image of the report

A new report by The Conference Board and Americans for the Arts finds that companies that are continuing to fund the arts are increasingly partnering with arts organizations to address social challenges, including racism and other forms of inequality.

American Rescue Plan Funding Trackers Identify Arts and Culture Spending

Thursday, February 17, 2022

The American Rescue Plan logo
Category: 

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides $350 billion to mitigate economic harm from the COVID-19 pandemic. Three of Americans for the Arts’ partner organizations have created online trackers that provide concrete examples of how governments are using ARPA funds to support the arts and culture.

Registration Open for the 2022 National Arts Action Summit

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

National Arts Action Summit logo

Arts advocates from across the United States will gather virtually March 28-30, 2022, for the National Arts Action Summit, now in its 35th consecutive year. This year, for the first time, there will be no registration fee to attend the National Arts Action Summit for both individuals and partner organizations.

Americans for the Arts Now Accepting Nominations for Public Leadership in the Arts Awards

Nominating Your Elected Official Advances and Supports the Arts in Your Community

Monday, February 14, 2022

A dark red, fluted glass bowl with black and beige streaks going horizontally through the exterior center, sitting atop a black marble base

Americans for the Arts is now accepting nominations for the Public Leadership in the Arts Awards. These annual awards honor elected officials for their consistent and outstanding support and promotion of the arts as key to advancing equity, uniting communities, preserving culture, and boosting the economy.

Applications Open for the 2022 Jorge and Darlene Pérez Prize in Public Art & Civic Design

Monday, February 7, 2022

Photo of a brightly painted mural on the side of a municipal parking garage. Text reads “Jorge and Darlene Pérez Prize in Public Art & Civic Design” with logos for The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation and Americans for the Arts.

The goal of the prize is to celebrate one unique civic design professional at the mid-career level for their locally implemented contributions that support community development through the integration of art and artists into the built environment. The selected individual will receive $30,000 to further their work plus professional development and engagement opportunities throughout the year.

Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors Honor Elected Officials for Exceptional Commitment to Arts

Governor Bill Anaotubby, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Mayor Gavin Buckley Understand Important Role That Arts and Culture Play in Society

Friday, January 21, 2022

Three people smiling - person on left wearing a black blazer and light blue tie; person in middle wearing a dark brown blazer and red tie, arms crossed, American flag in the background; person on right wearing a white button-down shirt.
Category: 

Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors today presented the 2022 Public Leadership in the Arts Awards to three elected officials at The U.S. Conference of Mayors 90th Winter Meeting. The honorees include Bill Anaotubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation; Sylvester Turner, Mayor of Houston, Texas; and Gavin Buckley, Mayor of Annapolis, Maryland.


Jessica Stern

Cultural Asset Identification & Building Inclusive Creative Economies

Posted by Jessica Stern, Jan 20, 2022


Jessica Stern

In early 2021, we published an outline of the goals and commitments Americans for the Arts is making towards supporting the development of an inclusive creative economy nationally and in local communities. This work in 2022 will focus on helping communities build awareness of their cultural assets and how to equitably strengthen, value, and utilize them. In partnership with and under the guidance of Cézanne Charles and John Marshall, principals of rootoftwo, LLC, we will embark on a year-long process to devise a set of tools, guides, evaluations, and trainings—with ample opportunities for participation from the field in the development of these tools—that will support local arts leaders in their efforts to identify and define their unique creative economies, and help communities to identify cultural assets and understand the health of those assets. 

Read More

Americans for the Arts Welcomes New National Endowment for the Arts Chair Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson

Senate Confirmation Marks Moment of Great Opportunity for Nation’s Cultural Agency

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Photo of Nolen Bivens, a smiling man in a suit and tie.
Category: 

Americans for the Arts’ President and CEO Nolen V. Bivens issued a statement following Saturday’s U.S. Senate confirmation of President Joseph R. Biden’s nomination of Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson as the next chair of the National Endowment for the Arts.

New Guide Shares Arts Data Best Practices for Cities

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Cover of a report titled "Arts Data in the Public Sector: Strategies for Local Arts Agencies" by Bloomberg Associates.
Category: 

Arts Data in the Public Sector: Strategies for Local Arts Agencies summarizes findings from extensive sector research and an in-depth analysis of data practices of 15 local arts agencies across the country. Through best practices and case studies, the guide aims to help city arts leaders use data to show measurable impact, identify priority policy areas, and promote access to the arts across communities.


Mr. John W. Haworth

Sustaining and Advancing Indigenous Cultures at the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums

Posted by Mr. John W. Haworth, Nov 19, 2021


Mr. John W. Haworth

Over the last couple of years especially, the major national arts service and membership organizations have given greater attention to engaging diverse communities more effectively. Building meaningful dynamic and collaborative relationships with community-based partners informs programming and audience building work. Working effectively with organizations serving diverse communities has become an ever-higher priority for state, regional, and local arts agencies throughout the country. Addressing cultural equity in tangible and effective ways is critically important for all of us, including how arts organizations recruit staff and identify board candidates. With a heightened awareness in our society about these issues during this time of major social and political change, the work of organizations like the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM) takes on even greater significance. Becoming more familiar with the work of ATALM (and likewise with similar organizations serving diverse organizations) gives professionals working in local arts agencies both a better understanding of key issues, as well as connections to colleagues in the Native cultural field, to help them address these crucial matters. 

Read More

NEA Announces American Rescue Plan Grants to Local Arts Agencies

Thursday, November 18, 2021

A graphic of a city block with several arts-based buidlings. Below the graphic reads 'The National Endowment for the Arts', and next to that reads 'American Rescue Plan'
Category: 

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) today announced American Rescue Plan (ARP) grants totaling $20,200,000 to 66 local arts agencies for subgranting to help the arts and cultural sector recover from the pandemic.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - advancing arts locally