Mara Walker

This month, Americans for the Arts releases its 2015-2017 strategic plan. For an organization that’s been around 55 years you might wonder, so what? The truth is, Americans for the Arts actually lives by its strategic plan, and this one, more than ever, focuses on our number one priority: building recognition for the transformative power of the arts in all of our lives and communities in new ways.

We have always been working to help decision makers understand the impact of the arts in building better places to live and work. Through research, professional services, advocacy, visibility and policy development, Americans for the Arts has remained committed to educating decision makers about the impact of the arts, increasing resources and policies for the arts and arts education, and generating awareness that the arts are more than a great way to spend your Saturday night, and in fact, change lives.

What’s different about our new plan? We are going deeper than ever at the local, state and national levels. We will be on the ground more, we will draw more visibility to the value of the arts through the media and strategic partners, and we are going to combine our strengths with yours to empower people to tell their stories about how the arts have made a difference in their lives.

We look forward to working with you in this effort and to developing new relationships as we gain momentum. Our Board of Directors, staff, leadership council participants, members, funders, and partners thank you for believing in the arts and arts education and Americans for the Arts. Together we can demonstrate that the arts are a proven strategy for improving lives and building stronger communities in America, so that they are better supported and their transformative power recognized.