Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch and Marine veteran Chris Stowe testified today before the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, urging the committee to increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts to no less than $167.5 million for FY 2020.
Americans for the Arts will be joined by more than 400 grassroots advocates from across the country for the National Arts Action Summit, held March 4–5, 2019. Organized by Americans for the Arts in partnership with 85 national organizations representing arts, culture, business, civic, and education institutions, the annual event has a record of advancing key legislative initiatives, including increased funding for the federal cultural agencies and enlightened tax, international, and education policies.
Through March 11, 2019, Americans for the Arts is accepting nominations of community arts leaders for one of seven 2019 Annual Leadership Awards. These awards recognize the achievements of individuals, organizations, or programs committed to enriching their communities through the arts.
The U.S House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee strongly rejected President Trump's budget request to eliminate both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities by appropriating $167.5 million in funding for FY 2020, an increase for both agencies of $12.5 million.
Americans for the Arts president and CEO Robert L. Lynch issued a statement in response to Elisabeth P. “Betsy” DeVos’s confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Education.
Americans for the Arts president and CEO Robert L. Lynch issued a statement in response to the Trump Administration’s proposed elimination of FY2018 funding to the National Endowment for the Arts.
Arkansans for the Arts held its first annual Arts Advocacy Day on November 7, 2018 at the Arkansas State Capitol. More than 353 advocates came to voice support of the arts and culture sector as a leading creator of jobs in industries such as health, education, agriculture and tourism.
For arts stakeholders, the public comment period is a keen opportunity to put forward a request for the Community Reinvestment Act to increase its support of arts-based community development and creative placemaking.
From December 2 to 8, 2018, the initiative encourages the creative field to join together in communities across the country to promote the sales of the work of local artists, and to promote to all consumers that art—including tickets to events and organization memberships—makes great holiday gifts.
Today, Americans for the Arts unveiled the Arts + Social Impact Explorer, an interactive online tool that draws together more than 1,000 data points on how the arts impact and integrate into 26 different sectors ranging from education and innovation, to health and wellness, immigration, faith and environment. The tool provides quick top-line research, example projects, core research papers, and lists service and partner organizations doing this work, as well as provides printable PDF fact sheets to share with decisionmakers.
Americans for the Arts today released Americans Speak Out About the Arts in 2018, one of the largest national public opinion surveys of American perceptions and attitudes towards the arts and arts funding. The new research demonstrates that Americans continue to be highly engaged in the arts and believe more strongly than ever that the arts promote personal well-being, help us understand other cultures, are essential to a well-rounded education, and that government has an important role in funding the arts.
Americans for the Arts reported that more than 800 celebrations were held in communities across the nation for the 8th annual National Arts in Education Week, September 9-15 – a significant uptick compared with 428 in 2017. The celebrations ranged from block parties to city hall meetings to online visibility campaigns.
Arts North Carolina launched a new legislative campaign in early 2018 that aims to increase state arts grants by nearly 60%, from $6.3 million to $10 million; and collaborated on the creation of the Caucus for the Arts and Arts Education in the NC House of Representatives.
The artist-run American nonprofit For Freedoms has announced the launch of “The 50 State Initiative,” a nonpartisan political and artistic campaign that will utilize public art to spark political engagement. Spanning the lead-up to the 2018 midterm elections, the campaign’s focal point is the planned installation of political billboards in all 50 states, plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
Americans for the Arts announced today the recipients of the 2018 Americans for the Arts Leadership Awards. Given annually, these awards recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations committed to enriching their communities through the arts.
Under the leadership of Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA) and Ranking Member Betty McCollum (D-MN), both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) are proposed at $155 million for FY 2019 in the U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee bill, a $2 million increase from 2018.
Arizona Citizens for the Arts rallied its advocates over Governor Doug Ducey's plan to eliminate $2 million in funding for arts grants, and the state legislature and governor heard from over 1,000 constituents speaking out against zeroing out state arts funding.
At a special Capitol Hill reception on April 18 to honor and remember former Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY), hosted by Americans for the Arts in conjunction with the Congressional Arts Caucus, U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) as the next co-chair of the Arts Caucus.
The state’s final approved budget includes a record funding level of $22.7 million for the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC). In his FY 2019 budget proposal, Governor Larry Hogan recommended an increase of $21.7 million for the arts.
Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch offered a statement in reaction to last night’s proposal by Congress to fund the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) at $152.8 million each.
Before a crowd of 650 arts advocates from every state, including a delegation of 30 from his home state of New Jersey, Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors recognized and thanked U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) for his congressional arts leadership during the 31st Arts Advocacy Day.
For the fifth consecutive year, a new record number of U.S. Representatives has signed the annual “Dear Colleague” letter, led by the bipartisan Congressional Arts Caucus co-chairs.
Americans for the Arts mourns the loss of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter of New York, who died March 16, 2018 in Washington, D.C. at the age of 88. Louise has been a champion of the arts for decades and our organization and its members are profoundly saddened, but still spirited in her honor and grateful for all she has given in service to her constituents at home and nationwide through her passionate support for the value of the arts and arts education.
Partnering with Oklahoma A+ Schools, Oklahoma Art Education Association, and the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education, hundreds of arts and arts education advocates came to promote arts education funding on April 11 within the bigger picture of the Oklahoma teacher walkout.
Americans for the Arts will be joined by more than 550 grassroots advocates from across the country on March 12–13, 2018, as they meet with their members of Congress to encourage support for arts funding and education. Now in their 31st year, the events are presented by Americans for the Arts and co-sponsored by 85 national organizational partners representing arts, culture, business, civic, and education institutions and individuals nationwide.
Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch released a statement following the release of the Trump Administration’s proposed FY2019 budget.
A variety of full ride and general scholarships are available to Americans for the Arts members interested in attending the 2018 Annual Convention in Denver June 14-17. Deadline is March 2, 2018.
Arts and community leaders from across the country will gather in Denver June 14-17 to discuss pressing issues around public art, community development, education, advocacy, and equity.
The three-year planning document describes how the organization—in alliance with our members, partners, and stakeholders—will build recognition and support for the extraordinary and dynamic value of the arts, and lead, serve, and advance the diverse networks of organizations and individuals who cultivate the arts in America.
