WASHINGTON—June 4, 2014—Nashville, Tennessee will celebrate Arts Leadership Weekend June 13-15 as the 2014 Annual Convention for Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit for advancing the arts and arts education, welcomes more than 1,000 arts professionals, community leaders, and supporters of the arts to the city.

Nashville Mayor Karl F. Dean proclaimed Arts Leadership Weekend in recognition of the diverse discussions of arts advocacy, education, culture, funding, changing demographics, and leadership that will take place in the city during this Convention. Capitalizing on the vibrant and dynamic spirit of Music City, Convention attendees will also enjoy a one-of-a-kind opening reception at the recently expanded Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

“We focus on the importance of communities that are incorporating the arts into their programs and events. These local efforts create opportunities of growth, commerce and industry," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO, Americans for the Arts. "Nashville embodies the intersection of business and arts, with its rich legacy of supporting fledgling artists, its unique American charm, and its boundless creative energy.”

The 2014 Americans for the Arts Annual Convention sessions span a diverse host of topics covered in over 30 specialized breakout sessions. Additionally, the Convention will also include three pre-conferences: Public Art & Place Making, Arts Education & Advocacy, and Arts Leadership. Famed music legend Ben Folds serves as opening keynote this year, sharing insights into his personal history and arts activism. The Convention boasts an impressive lineup of other speakers including: Graham Beal, director, president and CEO of Detroit Institute of Arts; Marc Bamuthi Joseph, director of performing arts at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts; Janet Brown, president and CEO, Grantmakers in the Arts; and Jamie Bennett, executive director, ArtPlace America.

The 2014 Convention will also feature several opportunities to explore Nashville and its diverse range of art through public art, arts education, and ARTventure Tours. These educational tours are designed to showcase the artistic successes of beautiful Music City. Attendees will travel to some of Nashville’s gems, including: the largest city-owned puppet collection in the world at the Nashville Public Library; Pearl Cohn High School recording studio; the Nashville Jazz Workshop; Maker spaces in Wedgewood Houston and Marathon Village and many more community cultural leaders.

“Americans for the Arts is a leading voice and champion for artists, cultural organizations and the creative economy. Having the convention here reinforces the dynamic and growing importance of our creative sector to the city as a whole,” said Jennifer Cole, executive director of Metro Arts who serves as the local host partner for the convention.

For nearly 60 years, Americans for the Arts has hosted an annual convention for arts and community leaders to network and discuss strategies for building stronger towns, counties, and cities through the arts.

Americans for the Arts recognizes the following sponsors for their significant support of the 2014 Annual Convention: Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, First Tennessee Bank, and Market Street Enterprises.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

MEDIA CONTACT

Graham Dunstan

Americans for the Arts

[email protected]

202-712-2054

@AFTAPress