Greetings from sunny California.  I am excited to be an ambassador to this project and to help Americans for the Arts celebrate its 50th anniversary.

My hope is to have a productive and meaningful interaction around the topic of a cultural democracy.  Over the next 12 months, this will be a place where we can discuss our vision for the future of the arts through a culturally democratic lens, the obstacles in achieving this vision, and the strategies to overcome those obstacles and make that vision a reality.

My hope as an ambassador is that this cultural democracy green paper, its responses and the dialogue it catalyzes will be taken to the next step.  That as practioners and cultural policy makers, we will use these ideas and dialogue to inform our own work and make change in the current environment.  I expect this discussion may become spirited, as we are talking about how we can respect differences and contrary beliefs, as well as universalities within the context of arts and culture in America.  

While the green paper recognizes that some progress has been made in equity and diversity issues in the arts, we still have a ways to go.  Let’s put on our thinking caps, get our creative juices flowing and jump in.  So if you will, please take a moment to share with me and others, a few thoughts on what a cultural democracy looks like.  It’s the year 2020 and our vision has materialized.  What does it look like?  What images or ideas come to mind when you think about cultural democracy?  Who are the players?  What role does Americans for the Arts play?  What role does The Association of American Cultures play?  How are the arts and culture different from the way they were in 2010?