Advocate and Celebrate for National Arts & Humanities Month this October

Monday, August 16, 2021

National Arts & Humanities Month logo

Individuals and organizations can use National Arts & Humanities Month as a starting point to advocate for the arts and raise awareness about its role in our communities and lives—not just for the month, but throughout the entire year! Here are a few of the ways you can join Americans for the Arts in celebrating NAHM.

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. 

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!


Irene Mei Zhi Shum

In the Wake of the Pandemic, Asian Americans Artists Confront Racism

Posted by Irene Mei Zhi Shum, May 11, 2021


Irene Mei Zhi Shum

Unleashed by anxiety over the pandemic, the nationwide rise in anti-Asian hate has served as a call to action for many Asian American artists to take a stand: To actively challenge the historic negative stereotype of the vice- and disease-ridden Yellow Peril; to dismantle the pernicious and divisive myth of the model minority that pits achievements by Asian Americas as judgements against other communities of color; and to advocate for social justice, equity, and inclusion for all. Located on opposite coasts, the work of photographer Mike Keo and multimedia artist Monyee Chau exemplify this new generation of Asian American activist-artists who are working within their respective communities to effect change. Both skillfully employ social media to raise awareness. Keo and Chau follow a long line of Asian American activist-artists and curators who deserve wider recognition. Most notably, in 1990 artists Ken Chu and Bing Lee and curator Margo Machida founded Godzilla: Asian American Art Network, an influential collective of artists and curators in New York City.

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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. 


Abigail Alpern Fisch

Member Spotlight: Kathy Hsieh

Posted by Abigail Alpern Fisch, Sep 28, 2020


Abigail Alpern Fisch

Kathy Hsieh is the Cultural Partnerships and Grants Manager at the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, overseeing investments funding, and racial equity opportunities for community. Hsieh has transformed the City of Seattle’s arts funding program and helped the agency earn the Seattle Management Association’s first Race and Social Justice Management Award. Kathy shared with us her insights about how she became involved with the arts, her office's response to COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as her recommendations for arts leaders looking to promote cultural and racial equity in their work. 

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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.


Abigail Alpern Fisch

Member Spotlight: ArtsEd Washington

Posted by Abigail Alpern Fisch, Sep 15, 2020


Abigail Alpern Fisch

ArtsEd Washington is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making arts education equitable and accessible to every K-12 student in Washington State. Danielle Gahl has been the Executive Director since 2017, but beginning in September 2020, she will be stepping down from that role and continue to run Internal Operations for the organization. Courtney Clark stepped up from the organization’s Board and became the Interim Executive Director in July 2020 after being furloughed during COVID-19 from Seattle Opera as the School Programs Manager. “It’s easy to send out an email that tells everybody what you’re doing; it’s a lot harder to do it. We’ve been focusing our efforts for a while now on walking the walk before we start talking the talk. ... The work of ArtsEd Washington is an everchanging landscape as the world of education is ever evolving. We choose to advocate through an equitable lens of equality that The Arts Matter! And FOR All!” 

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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. 

Join the National Arts Drive June 20, 2020

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

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The 10-city, 3-hour long community event taking place Saturday, June 20 across the U.S. will allow local artists to showcase their work, wares, and performances at a distance, while the public is invited to drive or ride down their city blocks and suburban streets to experience and support the art. 

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.


Ms. Elisheba Johnson

Black Owned Homes as Solutions to Cultural Space

Posted by Ms. Elisheba Johnson, May 08, 2020


Ms. Elisheba Johnson

Cultural space doesn’t just live in traditional retail space. Cultural space is born where culture thrives. While on the surface it seems that four artists created the Black art center Wa Na Wari, it is actually the continuation of the legacy of Frank and Goldyne Green, who were cultural space activists before there were words for this type of work. We don’t always think of our family homes as cultural spaces, but this Green home, and their other five properties, operated in this way. After the passing of Frank Green, artists Inye Wokoma, Jill Freidberg, Rachel Kessler, and I wondered what it would mean to rent it for a year as a cultural center. This social practice project was about the act of reclaiming so much of what has been lost in Seattle’s Central District. Our formerly redlined neighborhood has experienced drastic gentrification and displacement of our Black community. A neighborhood that was at one time 80% African American is now less than 10% Black. Wa Na Wari explores what it means for Black people to reclaim space in gentrified communities. Wa Na Wari is an art house and a community organizing effort. It is a model for how black homeowners can stay in their homes while also convening around black art. 

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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.

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