WASHINGTON, D.C. - Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, announced the recipients of the 2014 Americans for the Arts Annual Local Arts Leadership Awards. Presented each year, these awards recognize the achievements of individuals, organizations or programs committed to enriching their communities through the arts

Arts Advocacy Day 2014 on March 24-25 brought together 500 arts advocates from 45 states to Washington, D.C., last month for National Arts Advocacy Day, which is organized by Americans for the Arts and cosponsored by more than 85 national organizations. In a time where the arts are currently facing many challenges and there are many voices competing for the same pool of money on Capitol Hill, the timing of this event couldn't have been better.

The Tennessee Arts Commission is offering grants to Tennessee-based arts organizations and individuals for Americans for the Arts' Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee this June 12 - 15.

In March 2014, the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) published its annual State of the Nonprofit Sector. Our VP of Research, Randy Cohen, breaks down the findings for us on ARTSBlog. 

On Feb. 23, 2014 at the age of 110, Alice Herz-Sommer, a concert pianist and thought to be oldest survivor of the Holocaust, died in a London hospital. Mrs. Herz-Sommer was known around the world for her optimism and belief in the healing power of music. She shared her experiences and wisdom through books, YouTube Appearances and a short documentary film nominated this year for an Oscar. Born and raised in Prague, Mrs. Herz-Sommer’s upbringing included being surrounded by writers and musicians, which led to her life as an accomplished concert pianist. 

Long round-trips aboard Amtrak trains dedicated solely for the purpose of writing? This is an idea that New York City-based writer Jessica Gross tweeted at Amtrak without ever thinking it could come true. But it did come true—when Amtrak offered Gross a free “test-run” residency aboard a train that traveled from NYC to Chicago and back. Now, the idea continues to grow as hoards of writers are contacting Amtrak to find out how to participate in the innovative writer residency.

After a public meeting in Los Angeles, California on November 22, more than than $1.5 million will be invested in programs and initiatives supporting arts education, at-risk youth, and community transformation through the arts in Sacramento, California. The California Arts Council voted in support of five new programs and initiatives to be funded by one-time support from the California State Assembly.

Since spring 2006, The National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation have been partnering with U.S. state arts agencies to support Poetry Out Loud, “a contest that encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation.” Participating students recite a poem of their choice, using materials that schools receive by partnering with their state arts agency.

October is National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM) in America. NAHM is a coast-to-coast collective recognition of the importance of culture and the arts in America. It is designed to encourage all Americans to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives, and to begin a lifelong habit of active participation in the arts and humanities.

Liesel Fenner, Americans for the Arts’ public art program manager, was a guest on WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi Show on September 26.

The show discussed public art’s role in placemaking and community building. She appeared alongside Angela Anderson Adams, public art administrator for Arlington Economic Development, and Roger Lewis, architect, “Shaping the City” columnist at Washington Post, and Professor Emeritus of Architecture at the University of Maryland College Park.

President Obama issues a White House Proclamation declaring October National Arts and Humanities Month.

It's election season here at Americans for the Arts! Nominate yourself or a colleague to become a member of one of our four Network Councils: Arts Education, Emerging Leaders, Private Sector, and Public Art Network.