Blog Posts for advancing arts locally

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.


Randy Cohen

Ten Reasons to Support the Arts in 2018

Posted by Randy Cohen, Mar 09, 2018 0 comments


Randy Cohen

The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us—fostering creativity, goodness, and beauty. The arts bring us joy, help us express our values, and build bridges between cultures. The arts are also a fundamental component of a healthy community—strengthening them socially, educationally, and economically—benefits that persist even in difficult social and economic times. The arts are all about stories—often small, always meaningful. This advocacy season, find your stories and pair them with the research-based findings in the “10 Reasons to Support the Arts.” Yours will be an advocacy visit that is not soon forgotten.

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The Hon. Steve Adler


Mr. Robert Lynch

The Arts in Austin Need our Commitment and Support at this Critical Time

Posted by The Hon. Steve Adler, Mr. Robert Lynch, Nov 18, 2016 3 comments


The Hon. Steve Adler


Mr. Robert Lynch

Austin’s title as the Live Music Capital of the World is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the value of the arts here. It is a city where you can explore the work of designers, painters, sculptors, writers, photographers, filmmakers, dancers and musicians, at any time of year, any day of the week, in a variety of venues. Creativity, however expressed, is something to be treasured, but we can take it for granted at the same time we’re worried about losing it. At this critical time, we must commit to the arts and support what we love about Austin.

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Max R. Goldberg

Artists + Mini-Golf + Baseball = Successful Arts/Business Partnership

Posted by Max R. Goldberg, Apr 27, 2017 0 comments


Max R. Goldberg

In Nashville, baseball season just opened at First Tennessee Park, home of the Nashville Sounds. But baseball won’t be the only attraction at the park. The stadium is also home to a one-of-a-kind mini golf course that was designed entirely by artists. “Going to a gallery or museum can be intimidating especially for those that haven’t grown up with access to great art. This project was a great way to provide that access for people to experience outside of those parameters in their daily life.”

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Mr. Andrew M. Witt

Send your constituents to NAMPC

Posted by Mr. Andrew M. Witt, Aug 22, 2017 0 comments


Mr. Andrew M. Witt

The case for sending a “NAMP Team” to the National Arts Marketing Project Conference to increase their marketing and advertising skill levels, which in turn will serve to attract and entertain more visitors and residents in your community.

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Ms. Norah G. Johnson

Help, I’m Marketing and I Can’t Get Up

Posted by Ms. Norah G. Johnson, Mar 22, 2018 0 comments


Ms. Norah G. Johnson

How many of us are walking a line at our jobs between being an arts marketer, or not? Nowadays it seems as if dual and blended roles are becoming increasingly the norm for all except the largest arts and cultural organizations.

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Mr. Randy Engstrom

The Arts are a Strategy to Build Racial Equity

Posted by Mr. Randy Engstrom, Nov 21, 2016 0 comments


Mr. Randy Engstrom

Today we are in the middle of an historic change moment in our country, our cities and our role in the field of the arts. Not since the 1950’s when highways connected and crisscrossed our land have we seen such a massive influx of population in our cities and immigration nationally and internationally. At a time when racial equity and social and environmental justice is being challenged at a national level we affirm our commitment to this work and stand in solidarity with our communities.

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