Networks & Councils Banner

As an arts leader in your community, you know the arts play a vital role in community development. Leaders like you have helped Americans for the Arts create formalized programs to aid and empower community arts leaders. Together, we have developed topic-based networks made up of members of Americans for the Arts to address their specific areas of interest within the arts field.

Select a network below to learn more!

Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Network

Working with today's most promising leaders of color in the arts field, Americans for the Arts provides opportunities for the growth and sustainability of diverse arts leaders in America to share their interests with each other as they continue to participate in the arts and culture sector workforce.

The Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Network targets professionals who identify as a person of color in any arts administration role in the arts and culture sector.

Network resources include:

How to join this network:

  1. If you or your organization are not already members of Americans for the Arts, join here
  2. Click the Listserv button to sign up for this network's listserv
  3. Click the Facebook Page icon and request to join this network's Facebook Page

Arts Education Network

Learning in and through the arts are vital to the development of our students and our communities. The Arts Education Network brings together a wide variety of stakeholders in the arts education ecosystem.  Communications allow members to lend their expertise to help grow our work in advocacy, research, partnerships, and professional development that seeks to provide and secure more resources and support for arts education as a field.

Network resources include:

How to join this network:

  1. If you or your organization are not already members of Americans for the Arts, join here
  2. Click the Listserv button to sign up for this network's listserv
  3. Click the Information button to explore other resources and opportunities offered on the network page

County Arts Network

Providing a forum for members to discuss the successes and challenges that county arts agencies face across the nation, the County Arts Network includes an active listserv and other opportunities that create a platform for questions to and from the field about tools, resources, and professional development that will help county arts agencies build upon the success of their work and achieve more together.

Network resources include:

How to join this network:

  1. If you or your organization are not already members of Americans for the Arts, join here
  2. Click the Listserv button to sign up for this network's listserv

Emerging Leaders Network

Working with today's most promising emerging leaders in the arts field, we provide opportunities for the next generation of arts leaders in America to share their interests with others as they continue to develop their skills and their commitment to the arts.

The Emerging Leaders Network targets professionals who are either new to the field (up to 5 years of experience) and/or are 35 years of age or younger.

Network resources include:

How to join this network:

  1. If you or your organization are not already members of Americans for the Arts, join here
  2. Click the Listserv button to sign up for this network's listserv
  3. Click the Information button to explore other resources and opportunities offered on the network page

Executive Leaders Network

Supporting the full career spectrum is vital to the sustainability of the field in moving forward while acknowledging the past. We provide opportunities for arts and culture leaders of all types who are in executive leadership positions and/or who have recently retired from their organizations. The Executive Leaders Network targets organizational leadership at any stage in their career as well as established and retired leaders who can provide leadership, mentorship and insight.

Network resources include:

How to join this network:

  1. If you or your organization are not already members of Americans for the Arts, join here
  2. Click the Listserv button to sign up for this network's listserv
  3. Click the Information button to explore other resources and opportunities offered on the network page

Local Arts Network

Providing a forum for members to discuss the successes and challenges that local arts agencies face across the nation, the Local Arts Network includes an active listserv and other opportunities that create a platform for questions to and from the field about tools, resources, and professional development that will help local arts agencies build upon the success of their work and achieve more together.

Network resources include:

How to join this network:

  1. If you or your organization are not already members of Americans for the Arts, join here
  2. Click the Listserv button to sign up for this network's listserv
  3. Click the Information button to explore other resources and opportunities offered on the network page

Mid-Career Leaders Network

As we work to support leaders of all levels in the arts and culture field, we provide opportunities for leaders in the second stage of their careers to share interests addressing the unique strengths and challenges that these leaders face.

The Mid-Career Leaders Network targets professionals with five years or more experience in the arts and culture field and/or are 35 years of age or older.

Network resources include:

How to join this network:

  1. If you or your organization are not already members of Americans for the Arts, join here
  2. Click the Listserv button to sign up for this network's listserv

Private Sector Network

The Private Sector Network works with Americans for the Arts to build private sector support for the arts in local communities, and to promote the message that business support for the arts is integral to the success and longevity of the arts, and essential in building communities in which the business sector can thrive. This network includes:

Network resources include:

How to join this network:

  1. If you or your organization are not already members of Americans for the Arts, join here
  2. Click the Listserv button to sign up for this network's listserv
  3. Click the Information button to explore other resources and opportunities offered on the network page

Public Art Network

The Public Art Network (PAN) develops professional services for the broad array of individuals and organizations engaged in the field of public art. PAN is the only professional network in the United States dedicated to advancing public art programs and projects through advocacy, policy, and information resources to further art and design in our built environment.

To further engage members of the PAN Network, the Americans for the Arts Public Art Network Advisory Council aims to help educate those in the arts and non-arts field on the role of public art in communities and to highlight Americans for the Arts resources created for the public art field.

Network resources include:

How to join this network:

  1. If you or your organization are not already members of Americans for the Arts, join here
  2. Click the Listserv button to sign up for this network's listserv
  3. Click the Information button to explore other resources and opportunities offered on the network page

Rural Arts Network

Providing a forum for members to discuss the successes and challenges that agencies and arts and culture organizations that serve a rural constituency face across the nation, the Rural Arts Network includes an active listserv and other opportunities that create a platform for questions to and from the field about tools, resources, and professional development that will help practitioners build upon the success of their work and achieve more together.

Network resources include:

How to join this network:

  1. If you or your organization are not already members of Americans for the Arts, join here
  2. Click the Listserv button to sign up for this network's listserv

State Arts Action Network

The State Arts Action Network (SAAN) is a national coalition of independent state arts advocacy and service organizations that lead civic action to enrich lives, economies, education, and communities through the arts. The network represents the collective experience of 53 members from 43 states and provides a national forum for the exchange of best practices in arts and arts education policy at the state level.

The SAAN is led by the SAAN Council—a board of 15 members who in consultation with Americans for the Arts, establish the network’s policy guidelines, activities, and goals. The Council is comprised of three committees: the Executive Committee, the Governance Committee, and the Programs Committee.

Network resources include:

How to join this network:

  1. If your organization is not already members of Americans for the Arts, join here
  2. Your organization must pass the following criteria to join the SAAN:
    • The SAAN members’ organizations must have a current, tax-exempt designation granted by the federal or state taxing authority.
    • SAAN members’ organizations work in conjunction in a constructive manner with their state arts agency.
    • SAAN members’ organizations must build respectful working relationships with their state executive and legislative governmental bodies.
    • SAAN member organizations should have support and coordination from arts stakeholders and cultural interest groups throughout the state.
    • All SAAN members’ membership acceptance are at the discretion of Americans for the Arts.
  3. Click the Information button to explore other resources and opportunities offered on the network page.
  4. Contact the staff liaison to join.

United States Urban Arts Federation

The United States Urban Arts Federation (USUAF) is an Americans for the Arts alliance of the chief executives of local arts agencies in the nation's 60 largest cities. These leaders advocate, network, and meet to discuss the social, educational, and economic impact of the arts in their regions.

Network resources include:

How to join this network:

  1. If your organization is not already members of Americans for the Arts, join here
  2. Your organization must pass the following criteria:
    • The local arts agency (LAA) must represent one of the 60 largest cities by population size
    • The LAA must be a full service agency providing an array of the following: competitive grantmaking, public art, technical assistance, facilities management, arts education programs, cultural tourism programs, and other services
    • The representative to USUAF must be the head of the LAA
  3. Click the Information button to explore other resources and opportunities offered on the network page
  4. Contact the Director of Local Arts Services to join

Steering Committee

This network is led by a steering committee of 5-15 volunteer members who oversee and guide the network’s activities and goals.