Applications Open for Arts and Culture Relief Funds from the American Rescue Plan

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Graphic that reads “Apply for American Rescue Plan grants, Rebuilding the Creative Community” with the NEA logo, two photos of groups on stage repeated four times in different colors, and the URL arts.gov/arp-grants.
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The National Endowment for the Arts has announced two new grant program guidelines to distribute approximately $80 million in American Rescue Plan funds directly to nonprofit arts and culture organizations and to local arts agencies to subgrant deeper into communities across the country. Applicants for this new grant program will not have to be a previous NEA grantee to be eligible to apply. 

Christine Her Honored with American Express Emerging Leader Award

Americans for the Arts Annual Leadership Awards Presented as part of Annual Convention

Thursday, June 10, 2021

A smiling woman in cat-eye glasses and a colorful plaid scarf.

The American Express Emerging Leader Award is presented as part of Americans for the Arts’ Annual Convention and 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. The 2021 honoree is Christine Her, Executive Director of ArtForce Iowa.

President’s FY 2022 Budget Request Shows Big Arts Support

Cultural Agencies See Big Potential Increases

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Text logo that reads "Budget of the U.S. Government"
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On May 28, the administration released its fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget request, which calls for the largest requested increase in the history of the National Endowment for the Art (NEA)—a $201 million budget. This is a $33.5 million increase over FY 2021 levels for the NEA!

First Phase of American Rescue Plan Funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Announced

Thursday, April 29, 2021

A graphic illustration featuring various buildings, sculptures, and groups of people against a red background.
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The National Endowment for the Arts has announced more than $52 million in funding for state and jurisdictional arts agencies and regional arts organizations, the first recommended awards of the American Rescue Plan (ARP). These funds are designed to support the arts sector as it recovers from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congressional Testimony Calls for Increased National Endowment for the Arts Funding in FY 2022

Americans for the Arts Interim President and CEO General Nolen Bivens (U.S. Army Ret.) makes the ask of no less than $176 million for FY 2022—at least an $8.5 million increase over FY 2021 funding

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

The National Endowment for the Arts logo
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Americans for the Arts Interim President and CEO General Nolen Bivens (U.S. Army Ret.) submitted official testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies to support federal funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) at no less than $176 million for FY 2022—at least an $8.5 million increase over FY 2021 funding. This ask matches the most recent highpoint of NEA funding of $176 million in FY 1992.

Resources to Combat Anti-Asian Racism

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

A photo of a sign in a window that reads "Racism is a pandemic"

In the wake of the shooting in Atlanta that has left eight individuals dead, six of whom were Asian, we are re-sharing an excerpt from a recent issue of our Cultural Equity Weekly News Digest focusing on resources specific to combatting anti-Asian racism. 

Americans for the Arts celebrates International Sculpture Day—will you join too?

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

A nighttime photo of a public art sculpture in the shape of a small house covered in decorative cut-out shapes. A light from inside casts shadows of the shapes around the sculpture.

On Saturday, April 24, Americans for the Arts will celebrate International Sculpture Day, a worldwide event created by the International Sculpture Center (ISC) for anyone with an appreciation or commitment to the field of sculpture and its unique, vital contribution to society. We encourage all our members and followers to take part!

2021 National Arts Action Summit Activates Full Registration Support

Friday, February 26, 2021

It’s the National Arts Action Summit logo.

Thanks to the continued commitment from this year’s organizational partners—and in response to the financial challenges that many are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic—opportunities for full registration support to attend the National Arts Action Summit are available for anyone who would otherwise be unable to participate.

Request a Scholarship to the 2021 National Arts Action Summit

Friday, January 22, 2021

Join Americans for the Arts, organizational partners, and hundreds of advocates April 5-9, 2021 for the National Arts Action Summit. For the first time, Americans for the Arts is pleased to offer a number of scholarship opportunities to those interested in attending the virtual summit. Registration and scholarship requests are available beginning Jan. 25, 2021.

Nominations Open for 2021 Arts and Business Partnership Awards (Virtual)!

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Blue, green, and red strips of varying thickness form a circle over red text that reads "Americans for the Arts Arts + Business Partnership Awards"

Americans for the Arts annually honors the best businesses partnering with the arts in America at the Arts and Business Partnership Awards based on nominations by individuals and organizations. Nominations for this year's awards must be made by February 12, 2021. 

How the Work of Americans for the Arts Is Addressing the Urgent Challenges of 2020

Monday, November 16, 2020

Americans for the Arts logo

In 2020, Americans for the Arts continued its commitment to our vision and planned work, while also pivoting and taking on new, urgent work like so many of our 5,000 member organizations. Here are highlights of some key areas of the new and urgent work of Americans for the Arts in 2020 that are in addition to our planned work portfolio.

Americans for the Arts Issues Statement Congratulating President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris

Saturday, November 7, 2020

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Americans for the Arts heartily congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, as well as all the federal, state, and local elected leaders across the country who won their elections. The historic election saw record-high popular votes electing Joe Biden to become the 46th president of the United States and Kamala Harris, as both the first woman and woman of color, to be elected as vice president.

Robert L. Lynch and Americans for the Arts Featured in New Episode of PBS’s “Craft in America” Focused on Democracy

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

A new episode of the PBS docuseries “Craft in America” focused on the arts and democracy premiered digitally this week and is available to stream now in advance of the Dec. 11 broadcast premiere. “Craft in America: DEMOCRACY” explores how the interaction between government and the arts inspires our lives, fuels the creative economy, and protects our multicultural heritage. 

Registration Open for the National Arts Marketing Project Conference—Now Virtual!

Conference is happening online Dec. 7 and 8, 2020

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Join Americans for the Arts and peers in the arts marketing field for the 2020 National Arts Marketing Project Conference, going virtual Dec. 7 and 8. From changes in consumer behavior to addressing bias in your content, from new pricing strategies to targeting audiences and much more, explore with us the road ahead for arts marketing in 2021 and beyond. 

Americans for the Arts Encourages National Arts and Humanities Month Participation Through #ShowYourArt2020 Social Media Campaign Celebrating the Power and Diversity of Arts in Our Lives

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

NAHM Show Your Art
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Americans for the Arts today announced its October celebration of National Arts and Humanities Month, a coast-to-coast collective celebration of culture in America. In this turbulent year, the arts and humanities have played a critically important role in getting us through the COVID-19 pandemic and in amplifying the need for racial equity across the country. National Arts & Humanities Month is the time for communities to come together in unified celebration of the power of the arts to make a difference and change our lives for the better.

Americans for the Arts and Over 775 Cultural Organizations and Creative Workers Come Together to Propose Plan for Putting Creative Workers to Work After Pandemic

Endorsers include major cultural organizations in all genres, national service organizations, and influential individuals including former National Endowment for the Arts Chair Jane Alexander and Academy, Tony, and Emmy-nominated Actress Annette Bening

Thursday, September 10, 2020

There is no recovery without creativity.
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Americans for the Arts, in partnership with over 775 cultural organizations and creative workers, has proposed a 15-action national recovery strategy that the next Administration can use to put creative workers to work—activating the creative economy and drawing upon the creative energies of the country’s 5.1 million creative workers to energize Americans, reimagine how communities can thrive, and improve the lives of all. Organizations and creative workers who wish to endorse this proposal can do so via the Creative Workforce Proposal Endorsement form.


Mr. Jay H. Dick

How to Secure a Local Proclamation for National Arts & Humanities Month

Posted by Mr. Jay H. Dick, Sep 08, 2020


Mr. Jay H. Dick

Proclamations are a wonderful way that your mayor, city council, or your city (or county) in general can easily show its support for the arts and culture. Each year, Americans for the Arts encourages advocates to work with their local and state elected officials to issue a proclamation declaring October National Arts & Humanities Month in their city, county, or state. They allow elected officials to easily demonstrate their support for the arts, offer a written document for advocates to use year-round to demonstrate the value of the arts and culture, and serve as a tool to engage other arts advocates in their local communities. For those who have never done this before, I thought that I would offer a how-to guide help you understand the process of obtaining a proclamation.

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Americans for the Arts Action Fund Launches ArtsVote ‘Make Your Vote Count’ Campaign and Shepard Fairey ArtsVote Image

Arts Action Fund Urges Voters to Sign Pledge to ‘Make Your Vote Count,’ Use Customized Voter Resources for Every State to Begin Now

Friday, August 14, 2020

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Americans for the Arts Action Fund today presented its ArtsVote “Make Your Vote Count” campaign and pledge with artwork designed by renowned contemporary artist and Americans for the Arts Artists Committee member Shepard Fairey, as well as customized voter fact sheets for every state and U.S. territory. The fact sheets provide the latest details and deadlines on vote-by-mail ballots, early voting, and in-person voting. These resources can be found at www.ArtsActionFund.org/ArtsVote. 

Registration Open for Virtual Summer Conferences

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Registration is now open for the 2020 Annual Convention and Public Art & Civic Design Conference! This newly virtual convening, happening June 23-25 from the comfort of your home, is the chance for arts leaders across the country to gather virtually and better understand the current health crisis, how we are responding to it, and how the arts field can move toward recovery. 

140 Chambers of Commerce Lobby Congress for Nonprofit Arts & Cultural Institutions

Friday, May 15, 2020

Last week, a letter signed by 140 chambers of commerce from 39 states across the country was delivered to Congressional leadership in support of federal relief for the nonprofit arts and cultural community. This letter was generated by a small group of chambers and distributed by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) and Americans for the Arts.

Opportunity for the General Public to Participate in New Study Measuring Impact of Arts on Isolation and Social Distancing Resulting from COVID-19

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Americans for the Arts is partnering on a new international study to measure the mental health impact of COVID-19 and social distancing on the American public and is seeking volunteers to participate via online surveys. Everyone age 18 and older is welcome to be part of the study, and participation is fast and simple! 

Annual Report on Local Arts Agency Budgets and Programs Released

Monday, April 20, 2020

Americans for the Arts has released the 2019 Profile of Local Arts Agencies, an annual survey of a core set of local arts agency (LAA) indicators that is supplemented with rotating modules, enabling a more in-depth exploration into specific aspects of LAA work. The findings in this year’s study are based on 633 survey responses that were collected May through August of 2019.

National Arts Action Summit Goes Digital – Register Now!

Monday, April 13, 2020

Americans for the Arts presents a brand-new experience for arts advocates to engage virtually at the first ever National Arts Action Digital Summit with three plenary and ten issue-specific webinars live April 27 to May 1, 2020. 

Americans for the Arts Hosts Webinar on the CARES Act

Friday, April 10, 2020

On April 8, 2020, Americans for the Arts hosted a webinar titled “How the CARES Act Supports the Arts Sector” to discuss the recent COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress at the end of March. Americans for the Arts Government Affairs staff and valued guest speakers discussed the various pieces of the legislation that pertained to the arts sector.

Americans for the Arts COVID-19 Survey Documents Devastating Losses to the Arts

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Nationally, financial losses to the nonprofit arts sector are estimated to be $4.5 billion as of April 6 (up from $3.2 billion on March 20). Americans for the Arts estimates that nonprofit arts organizations already have experienced an estimated 197 million lost event admissions due to cancelled or postponed events. 

Federal Economic Stimulus Relief Funds Provide Encouraging Support to the Nation’s Community-Based Arts and Culture Organizations Experiencing $3.6 Billion in Devastating Losses

Friday, March 27, 2020

Americans for the Arts
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The $2 trillion emergency stimulus package that Congress passed this week includes $300 million in economic relief to support nonprofit cultural organizations, museums, libraries, public broadcasting, and state and local arts and humanities agencies, as well as substantial additional economic relief opportunities for independent contractors like "gig economy" workers such as actors, musicians, and artists and nonprofit organizations and small businesses, including those working in the creative economy.

Arts Support Included in Federal COVID-19 Relief Bill

Thursday, March 26, 2020

U.S. Senate votes on COVID-19 Relief Bill

Late last night, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed (96-0) the third phase of the coronavirus (COVID-19) response relief package. This vital piece of legislation includes direct support for both nonprofit cultural organizations and state and local arts and humanities agencies, as well as economic relief provisions for independent contractors, "gig economy" workers and artists, entrepreneurs, and small businesses working in the creative economy.

Weekly Web Roundup: March 16-20, 2020

Friday, March 20, 2020

How do you sum up a week like the one the country has just been through? We at Americans for the Arts hope you and yours are keeping safe and healthy during the coronavirus outbreak. We are working hard to ensure that the arts and culture sector can weather this storm, together, and with appropriate and necessary financial relief from the federal government. Read on for tools you can use in this critical time for the arts.

2020 National Arts Action Summit Has Been Cancelled—Virtual Briefings Will Be Announced Soon

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Americans for the Arts logo

Americans for the Arts has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 National Arts Action Summit, which was to take place March 30-31 in Washington, D.C., and to postpone the related Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts & Public Policy. The cancellation of the Summit comes out of an abundance of caution and to align with COVID-19 health recommendations and warnings issued by the Washington, D.C., government against mass gatherings in the city until March 31.  

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