press release archive

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Following last night's U.S. Senate confirmation of William J. Ivey's nomination to head the National Endowment for the Arts, Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch said:

"Strategically, the confirmation of Bill Ivey to head the NEA comes at a good time as Congress prepares to take up the agency's appropriations bill next month. His background is a unique blend of the commercial and not-for-profit arts worlds, and he brings with him a solid understanding of how federal policy is developed and implemented. Community arts leaders across the country have been eagerly awaiting Ivey's confirmation -- his fresh ideas and new perspectives will serve us well during what will be an increasingly important time for the arts in America."

Ivey will make his first official speech next month to a national audience at Americans for the Arts' annual convention, which will take place in Denver, Colo., June 6-9. At that time, he is expected to present his vision and plans for the NEA to local arts leaders from all 50 states who will come together to examine arts funding issues and the future of cultural policy.

Those meeting next month include directors of private and public arts agencies in communities across America. Among the topics for discussion, the Endowment's new ArtsREACH initiative, which encourages cultural planning collaborations in states currently receiving five or fewer direct grants from the agency. Administrators from the NEA will be available throughout the convention to answer any questions about this pilot program, which will provide funding to new and existing partnerships of cultural, business, social, government, religious and civic organizations to work together to integrate the arts more fully into all aspects of community life.