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Thank you to the many people who have been blog contributors to, and readers of ArtsBlog over the years. ArtsBlog has long been a space where we uplifted stories from the field that demonstrated how the arts strengthen our communities socially, educationally, and economically; where trends and issues and controversies were called out; and advocacy tools were provided to help you make the case for more arts funding and favorable arts policies.

As part of Americans for the Arts’ recent Strategic Realignment Process, we were asked to evaluate our storytelling communications platforms and evolve the way we share content. As a result, we launched the Designing Our Destiny portal to explore new ways of telling stories and sharing information, one that is consistent with our longtime practice of, “No numbers without a story, and no stories without a number.”

As we put our energy into developing this platform and reevaluate our communications strategies, we have put ArtsBlog on hold. That is, you can read past blog posts, but we are not posting new ones. You can look to the Designing Our Destiny portal and our news items feed on the Americans for the Arts website for stories you would have seen in ArtsBlog in the past.

ArtsBlog will remain online through this year as we determine the best way to archive this valuable resource and the knowledge you’ve shared here.

As ever, we are grateful for your participation in ArtsBlog and thank you for your work in advancing the arts. It is important, and you are important for doing it.

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Animating Democracy Webinar Series

Did you miss any part of the Animating Democracy: REFLECTING FORWARD series? Three timely, generative, optimistic, and worthwhile conversations with amazing artists and thinkers, co-presented with HowlRound and Art2Action, are now available as on-demand recorded webinars to watch at your convenience.

Blue graphic with arrow designs and text that reads: Animating Democracy - Reflecting Forward.

Welcoming New Board Members

Americans for the Arts is pleased to welcome Torrie Allen, president and CEO of Arts Midwest; Christopher Cutler, CFA, founder and president of Manager Analysis Services, LLC; Marc D. Folk, president and CEO of The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo; Kristina Newman-Scott, executive director of The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at New York Public Radio; and Ravi S. Rajan, president of the California Institute of the Arts, to its board of directors.

Grid of photos of Torrie Allen, Christopher Cutler, Marc D. Folk, Kristina Newman-Scott, and Ravi S. Rajan, plus the Americans for the Arts logo

Six Ideas Toward Culture Shift

Americans for the Arts is in the midst of numerous changes. As we look toward the future, it is important that our organization—working with our partners—has clearer communication and better feedback loops. In the spirit of this value, President and CEO Nolen V. Bivens shares some observations he has made since joining Americans for the Arts.

Illustration of a river, map of the U.S., and other icons. Text reads: Six ideas toward culture shift for Americans for the Arts.
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There is greater strength in numbers. Strategic partnerships are crucial to Americans for the Arts because they champion an idea that is central to our day-to-day work: the arts are a vital tool—a “secret weapon”—that can address wide-ranging challenges across sectors and from every corner of our country.

Together, we can strengthen arts in the economy, in schools, in communities, in the military, in our healthcare system, and more. Our list of partners is as extensive as our scope of work. Learn more about Americans for the Arts’ strategic partnerships.

National Arts Awards
Celebrating outstanding leadership in the arts, arts education and philanthropy

BCA 10 Awards
Top businesses partnering with the arts in America

Policy Roundtables
Cross-sector forums imagining and strategizing the future of the arts

Artists Committee
Leading artists advocating on behalf of the arts

Regional Events
Special events to connect with other leaders in the arts community

Our staff at Americans for the Arts are leaders in the arts industry. We are here for you, and available to serve as guest lecturers, keynotes, panelists, conveners, session leaders, reviewers, policy experts, and writers, wherever we’re needed.

Presentations can be targeted toward arts, government, business, education, or combined community audiences at the local, state, and national levels. We present research with key insights and put local results in a national context.

Visit the speakers bureau to learn more.

The Latest News
Photo looking up the stairs outside the U.S. Capitol building, a white marble structure with columns and a tall multi-tiered dome.
March 7, 2023
Senators Lankford and Coons Introduce The Charitable Act to Incentivize Charitable Giving
Legislative News

The Charitable Act would expand and extend the expired non-itemized deduction for charitable giving, and would once again provide and enhance a tax incentive for greater philanthropy toward arts and culture, among other sectors. Americans for the Arts and Americans for the Arts Action Fund have endorsed this important piece of legislation.

A six-piece brass band performs on stage in front of an enthusiastic audience, against a colorful backdrop that reads: Annual Convention 2022.
February 16, 2023
Update on Americans for the Arts Events in 2023
Americans for the Arts News

During 2022’s Strategic Realignment Process, we worked with members and other stakeholders to identify the specific and unique role of Americans for the Arts within the arts and culture community. While we continue to evaluate and evolve our offerings, here’s the latest update on some of our flagship events, including the National Arts Action Summit, Annual Convention, and the National Arts Marketing Project Conference.

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January 20, 2023
Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors Honor Exceptional Leaders in the Arts
Press Releases

Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors today presented the 2023 Public Leadership in the Arts Awards to three elected officials, and Legendary Artist Awards to two artists, at The U.S. Conference of Mayors 91st Winter Meeting in Washington, DC. The honorees included Dan McKee, Governor of Rhode Island; David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City; Jon Mitchell, Mayor of New Bedford, Massachusetts; and Louis “Eric B” Barrier, hip-hop artist and pioneer in the rap genre and Kool DJ Red Alert, hip-hop DJ, were awarded with Legendary Artist Awards.

Person leaning against a building with wooden siding, arms crossed, wearing a black hat, blue pattered short-sleeved shirt, necklace with a white bird pendant, and a turquoise ring.
January 11, 2023
Americans for the Arts Awards G. Peter Jemison 2023 Johnson Fellowship for Artists Transforming Communities
Press Releases

Americans for the Arts today announced visual artist G. Peter Jemison (Heron Clan, Seneca Nation) as the recipient of the 2023 Johnson Fellowship for Artists Transforming Communities. This year’s $70,000 award honors an individual artist or culture bearer who does their creative work in and with rural communities with the purpose of building community, fostering participation in community life, advancing cultural and/or racial equity, and/or addressing specific issues that affect the well-being of rural communities.