Americans for the Arts has announced the 2017 Annual Convention closing keynote from actress, writer, singer, and teacher Rhodessa Jones. Jones is the founder and director of the award-winning Medea Project, a theater program designed to use the arts to reduce the number of women returning to prison.

Jones will speak about her work, and hope for the future, and will celebrate the grit, perseverance, and power of the arts in the United States. She’ll be joined on stage by Debra Garcia y Griego, director of the Santa Fe Arts Commission and a strong artist advocate and leader in the local arts field.

Americans for the Arts’ 2017 Annual Convention will be held June 16-18 in San Francisco. Visit the Schedule At-a-Glance to see more new sessions, presenters, and other weekly program updates.