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.

Arts & Business

When arts and business partner, everyone profits.

A healthy business environment and a vibrant arts scene go hand in hand in cultivating strong communities across the country. Our programs provide businesses and arts leaders with the services, tools, and resources necessary to develop and advance meaningful partnerships so that together, they can achieve mutual goals. Our aim is to uplift, promote, and see the arts and creative sectors embraced as a critical social, economic, and development partner, while simultaneously inviting businesses to recognize the arts as solutions to their employee, company, and community objectives.

Multimedia artist Sougwen Chung and Nokia Bell Labs developed ways to show that when you combine cutting-edge technology with the best of humanity, you can achieve more than the sum of the parts.
Jiffy Lube of Indiana

Mural by Carl Leck at Jiffy Lube of Indiana in Fishers; photo by Travis Hinkle.

Mural paying tribute to Ohioan Neil Armstrong by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra at Fifth Third Bank’s Cincinnati headquarters

How do arts and businesses make great partners?

Click each stat to see the source and learn more.

Source: Quantum Workplace’s 2015 Employee Engagement Trends Report. Whether its sparking innovation among employees, showing gratitude for their hard work, or strengthening their skills, arts and business can work together to inspire and engage employees, and help recruit and retain talent. Learn more how the arts can enhance and reveal the breadth of talent within companies.

Source: The Creative Dividend, 2014. Arts and business can work together to create a competitive edge for each other. Leveraging the arts can expand market share and convey a company’s unique values. The arts can also help create livelier and healthier workspaces, while artists and arts organizations gain meaningful work. Learn how the arts can transform workspaces.

Source: COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers, 2020. Businesses need thriving communities where people want to live and work, and the arts rely strong business environments as an equal and integral contributor to local economic activity.

Source: Americans Speak Out About the Arts 2018. The arts create social and community cohesion, and open opportunities for people to learn about their differences and tackle challenging issues. Learn how partnering with the arts allows your employees, company and community to gain better understanding of diverse cultures and ideas and helps build an inclusive workforce.

Learn more about why arts and businesses should partner at the pARTnership Movement.