Over the course of the last half century, together we have witnessed monumental changes in the arts in America at the federal, state, and local levels all across the country. Americans for the Arts officially kicks off its 50th Anniversary with a press event on January 20 and with the simultaneous running of sponsorship advertisements on National Public Radio. Throughout the year many activities and programming will be part of the 50th Anniversary celebration. Americans for the Arts invites you—our members and arts supporters from communities in every part of the nation—to participate in the celebration of the arts during the anniversary year. Here is a preview of what 2010 has in store.
Robert Redford, serving as honorary chair of the 50th Anniversary celebration, announced his commitment at the 2009 National Arts Awards.
The National Arts Index is a new annual measure of the health and vitality of arts in the United States covering the 11-year period from 1998 to 2008. The index is composed of 76 national-level indicators of arts and cultural activity showing the current condition and health of the arts. Go to ArtsBlog to hear a podcast.
The Half-Century Summit, Americans for the Arts Annual Convention, takes advantage of the 50th Anniversary with an expanded format and offerings. In June, Baltimore hosts more than 1,500 local, state, and national arts leaders, partners, and constituents as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the creation of today's arts funding structure in America as we look foward to secure a critical role for the arts in our nation's future.
Green Papers and the ArtsBlog will engage the arts sector in a vigorous year-long dialogue about the future of the arts in America through the work of 25 national arts service organizations and arts sector peer groups who will be producing Green Papers. The papers will represent a wide variety of disciplines and sectors while reflecting on accomplishments of the last 50 years, articulatung a vision for the future of their discipline or sector, and identifing challenges to begin to chart a course for attaining their goals. As living documents the papers will be presented on ARTSblog for consideration and comment from February–December 2010.
Why Arts Matter Video Contest is created in honor of the 50th Anniversary. We are asking you to celebrate the arts in America by creating a video that tells "Why the Arts Matter" to you! Join people across the country who are sharing their inspirations, favorite art forms, and why the arts matter in their lives.
The Americans for the Arts Action Fund wants your help to keep the arts in schools, improving the overall academic performance and test scores of our country's children and teaching them the creative skills they'll need to succeed in the 21st century. Be part of the largest grassroots arts advocacy movement in the country. In March 2010, we will launch a new and improved website providing you with more information, tools, and opportunities to play your part and join the movement.
Arts Link, Americans for the Arts quarterly member newsletter will launch a re-envisioned magazine format in the spring of 2010 featuring even more tools and examples from both Americans for the Arts and your peers in the arts field to educate, equip, and inspire you and your work to advance the arts. Arts Link is a benefit to Americans for the Arts members so if you are not already a professinal member be sure to join today to receive the historic first re-envisioned edition of Arts Link.
National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM) is a coast-to-coast collective celebration of culture held every October and coordinated by Americans for the Arts. From arts center open houses to mayoral proclamations to banners and media coverage, communities across the United States join together to recognize the importance of arts and culture in our daily lives. The winners of the "Why Arts Matter" video contest will be announced during the 2010 NAHM in honor of Americans for the Arts 50th Anniversary.