This week: We announced our 2020 Johnson Fellowship recipient, opened nominations for our Arts + Business Partnership Awards, discussed the importance of copyright for artists, and explored the connection between the arts and your health. Here's what else you may have missed!

ARTSblog

The Arts Expand Our World. So Why Define Arts So Narrowly? by Dr. David V. Mastran
If the arts—which include all of music, the visual arts, performing arts, and more—are so very broad and so very expansive, why do we insist on using restrictive labels to define them? The term “Fine Arts” is used across all educational levels to cover the spectrum of arts offerings. Fine Arts is a very narrow definition that is too restrictive. We should stop doing it. We should leave the term back in 2019.

Collaboration in the Classroom and Beyond by Argy Nestor
Successful collaboration is essential today and for the future. I think it’s time to put some effort into unpacking collaboration before jumping into a partnership or expecting students to work in a group. I believe if those interested in arts education are willing to establish a common understanding of collaboration, enormous strides could take place at local, state, and national levels that would truly benefit all learners.

News Room

Hannibal Lokumbe Awarded National Fellowship to Advance Work in Local Communities
Jazz trumpeter and classical composer Hannibal Lokumbe of Bastrop, Texas, has been awarded Americans for the Arts' 2020 Johnson Fellowship for Artists Transforming Communities, to which he brings his musical talents and humanist approach to engage individuals and communities toward building a more just and liberated society. The $65,000 award will support him in advancing his community-based work during the fellowship year.

Vans Custom Culture Returns for 11th Year Supporting High School Art Programs
High school art students are invited to participate in the eleventh year of Vans Custom Culture, a program that provides high school artists and students a platform to embrace and showcase their creative abilities and the chance to win a grand prize of $75,000 for their school’s art program. The deadline to register for this year's competition is January 31, 2020.

Nominations Open for 2020 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. The awards recognize businesses of all sizes and individual leaders for their exceptional involvement with the arts. Nomations close January 31, 2020.

ArtsU

Supporting Individual Artists Coffee Chat: Copyright for Artists
How can artists protect their work through copyright law? Luke Blackadar, Director of Legal Services for the Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston, discusses the ins and outs of copyright for artists including copyright basic rights and registration, copyright use and licensing, and fair use.

Video

Arts + Social Impact: The Arts and Health
Learn more about the importance of health and wellbeing in communities, and the vital role that arts and culture play in improving health outcomes.