WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans for the Arts will be joined by more than 500 grassroots advocates from across the country on March 24–25, 2014, as they meet with members of Congress to encourage support of arts funding and education. Arts Advocacy Day is made possible by 85 national cosponsors, and is produced to create positive action on the many issues facing the arts in 2014, including tax reform, budget cuts and education reauthorization.

The program of events includes the Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy, featuring Maureen Dowd and the Congressional Arts Kick Off.

“No matter who you are or where you’re from — big cities or small towns, Washington State or Washington, DC — the arts are an important creative and economic resource that should be prioritized by local and national government,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.  ”National Arts Advocacy Day is the largest gathering of its kind, bringing together a broad cross section of America's cultural and civic organizations to champion and support this effort.”

This year, advocates will participate in a number of programs to help them make an impact in their own towns and states, including:

• Specialized policy briefings for beginner and advanced advocates;
• Breakout sessions for student advocates to learn how to take action back on their campuses;
• One-on-one professional development consultations with an advocacy expert to practice making the case for the arts; and
• A special presentation by Google staff on their latest nonprofit tools and Cultural Institute project.

Ovation has been a key supporter of Arts Advocacy Day for the past five years.  In addition, Ovation CEO Charles Segars has served as honorary co-chair for four consecutive years.

“Access to quality arts experiences and arts education is imperative to the success and economic health of our nation,” said Segars. “But too few people realize that. That’s why it’s so important that as many people as possible receive the message that arts advocates will deliver while in Washington, D.C. this year: the arts are the best investment we can make in this country.”

27^th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy:

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and best-selling author Maureen Dowd will give the 27th annual Nancy Hanks Lecture, intended to stimulate discussion of policy and social issues affecting the arts. Dowd will be introduced by Alec Baldwin, Emmy Award®-winning TV, film and stage actor and active arts advocate.

“The arts are vital to the development and growth of our youth and of this country. To speak on behalf of this cause is truly an honor, “ said Dowd.

The lecture will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall on March 24 at 6 p.m.

Congressional Arts Kick Off Event:

Alec Baldwin will join Americans for Arts again on March 25 at the Cannon House Office Building for the Congressional Arts Kickoff, held in conjunction with the Congressional Arts Caucus. Mr. Baldwin will provide remarks along with several members of Congress. The Americans for the Arts will present the Congressional Arts Leadership Award, which recognizes distinguished service on behalf of the arts. This year’s recipients are Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. James Moran (D-VA).

More Information and Links:

85 National Cosponsors: http://www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2014/events/AAD/congressional_handbook/DirectoryNationalCosponsors2014.pdf

Hanks Lecture: http://www.americansforthearts.org/events/nancy-hanks-lecture

Live Stream of Hanks Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/user/americansforthearts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/americans4arts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americans4arts

Hashtags: #AAD14 #ArtsVote

The Nancy Hanks Lecture is the leading national forum for arts policy, providing an opportunity for public discourse at the highest levels on the importance of arts and culture to our nation’s well-being. The annual event is named for Nancy Hanks, former president of Americans for the Arts and chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, who devoted 15 years of her professional life to bringing the arts to prominent national consciousness. Past lecturers include Yo-Yo Ma, Alec Baldwin, Robert Redford, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Wynton Marsalis, Kevin Spacey, Ken Burns, William Safire and Robert MacNeil.

Americans for the Arts extends its gratitude to the Rosenthal Family Foundation and Bank of America for their generous support of the Americans for the Arts 27th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy.